Canterbury tale
Plural
Canterbury tales
1
a story marked by being too long or dull
The idiom "Canterbury tale" originates from Geoffrey Chaucer's literary work, "The Canterbury Tales," written in the late 14th century. Chaucer's collection of stories features a diverse group of pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, each sharing their own tale during the journey. Over time, the expression has come to symbolize an elaborate or fanciful story, often involving a group of characters with distinct narratives or perspectives.
- At the family reunion, Uncle Joe entertained everyone with his Canterbury tale of adventures during his youth.
- The novelist weaved a Canterbury tale of intrigue, incorporating multiple plotlines that converged in a surprising climax.
- The team meeting turned into a Canterbury tale as each member shared their unique experiences and insights on the project.
- The comedian's stand-up routine was a Canterbury tale of humorous anecdotes, capturing the audience's attention with varied and amusing stories.
- The documentary presented a Canterbury tale of historical events, blending personal accounts to provide a comprehensive narrative of the era.
2
a story, explanation, or excuse that is hard to believe
The idiom "Canterbury tale" is derived from Geoffrey Chaucer's work "The Canterbury Tales," where pilgrims tell diverse and sometimes dubious stories during their journey. In contemporary usage, the phrase has evolved to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that is hard to believe or is fanciful in nature.
- His explanation for being late was a Canterbury tale involving a flat tire, a lost phone, and a sudden rainstorm – hard to buy into.
- The politician's promises sounded more like a Canterbury tale than a concrete plan for economic reform.
- When asked about the missing cookies, the child spun a Canterbury tale involving a mischievous imaginary friend.
- The defendant's alibi seemed like a Canterbury tale, with each detail more improbable than the last.
- The conspiracy theorist shared a Canterbury tale about extraterrestrial involvement in historical events, leaving skeptics unconvinced.
3
an uncompleted series of tales written after 1387 by Geoffrey Chaucer