Canterbury story n.
a long, elaborate and ultimately tedious story.
Works I (1845) 107: We myghte spende that tyme in reading of prophane hystories, or cantorburye tales. | ||
Refutation of Heskins, Sanders & Rastel 422: In verie deed a lewd lying counterfeter of more then Caunterburie tales. | ||
Menaphon in Grosart Works (1881–3) VI 86: Whosoeuer Samela descanted of that loue, tolde you a Canterbury tale. | ||
Bk Falconrie 260: A verie olde womans fable or Cantorburie tale. | ||
Burlesque Homer (3rd edn) 412: And thou, in whom our nation glories / For telling Canterbury stories. | ||
Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue. | ||
Burlesque Homer (4th edn) II 220: [as cit. 1772]. | ||
Lex. Balatronicum. | ||
Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc. 21: Canterbury tale — a long endless story — twaddle. |