The difference between Cock-and-bull story and Shaggy dog story

When used as nouns, cock-and-bull story means a far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity, whereas shaggy dog story means a long-winded joke or tale featuring the narration of typically irrelevant details, and usually ending with an absurd or pointless punchline which is often a pun or spoonerism on a known catchphrase.


check bellow for the other definitions of Cock-and-bull story and Shaggy dog story

  1. Cock-and-bull story as a noun (idiomatic):

    A far-fetched and fanciful story or tale of highly dubious validity.

  1. Shaggy dog story as a noun:

    A long-winded joke or tale featuring the narration of typically irrelevant details, and usually ending with an absurd or pointless punchline which is often a pun or Spoonerism on a known catchphrase.