Green’s Dictionary of Slang

argy-bargy v.

to argue.

1857		‘Inceptor’ Tom of Wiseacre 203: Weel, I’ll no argy-bargy we’ ye about that, Janny,’ said Marigold.
1865		Brechin Advertiser 28 Mar. 2/4: When i first heard them, they were ‘argy-bargying’ with one another.
1872		Chambers’ Jrnl 13 Apr. 227/1: Ye’ll no argy-bargy wi’ me, so you’ll no!
1886		Living Age 168 446/2: l’se nae time to argybargy wi’ ye, Davit.
1888		J.M. Barrie Auld Licht Idylls 35: I’se nae time to argy-bargy wi’ ye, Davit .
1897		J.M. Barrie Margaret Ogilvy 120: Ten minutes at the least did she stand at the door argy-bargying with that man.
1901		W.S. Walker In the Blood 297: Didn’t argy.
1917		‘Ian Hay’ Carrying On 62: Its no a thing tae argie-bargie aboot.
1929		J.B. Priestley Good Companions 119: I don’t want any bloody argy-bargying.
1936		J. Curtis Gilt Kid 271: Don’t get argy-bargying with him, or he’ll make it very nasty for you at your trial.
1949		Sun. Post 27 Nov. 6/1: They’ll Start a Lot of Argy-Bargying.
1983		P. Carlen Women’s Imprisonment 179: Of course, you start argy-bargying with them. You don’t like them and they don’t like each other, anyhow.