argy-bargy

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)dʒi

Etymology

It has been suggested that the term derives from the Scottish argle-bargle.

Noun

argy-bargy (plural argy-bargies)

1. A verbal argument.

   There was a bit of an argy-bargy over the matter.

Verb

argy-bargy (third-person singular simple present argy-bargies, present participle argy-bargying, simple past and past participle argy-bargied)

1. To argue.
   • 1897: J. M. Barrie, Margaret Ogilvy, ch. 6

     Ten minutes at the least did she stand at the door argy-bargying with that man.

Usage notes

It was used during the Falklands War in a newspaper headline to describe the actions of the Argentines (so-called "argies").

Alternative forms

• argy bargy, argie bargie, argie-bargie

See also

• argle-bargle