This expression originated in the 18th century, at Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire, England. That village had two small inns, one called 'The Cock' and the other called 'The Bull'. Coaches that would go from London to Birmingham and vice versa usually stopped there to change horses, at one inn or the other. Travellers told their own stories there, which in general were exaggerated and funny. Today this expression means a silly story or a excuse that nobody believes.

Esta expresión se originó en el siglo XVIII, en Stony Stratford en Buckinghamshire, Inglaterra. En ese pueblo había dos pubs, uno llamado 'The Cock' y el otro llamado 'The Bull'. Los carruajes que iban de Londres a Birmingham y viceversa usualmente hacían una parada allí para cambiar los caballos, en uno de los dos pubs. Los viajeros contaban allí sus historias, generalmente exageradas y divertidas. Hoy en día, esta expresión significa una historia o excusa tonta que nadie se cree.