shaggy-dog story

shaggy-dog story
\\ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷-\ noun
1.
a. : a long-drawn-out circumstantial story concerning an inconsequential happening that impresses the teller as humorous but the hearer as boresome and pointless
b. : a similar humorous story whose humor lies in the pointlessness or irrelevance of the punch line
2. : a humorous anecdote involving a talking animal (as a horse or dog)

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/shag"ee dawg", -dog"/
a funny story, traditionally about a talking dog, that, after an often long and involved narration of unimportant incidents, has an absurd or irrelevant punch line.
[1945-50]

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shaggy-dog story noun
(from the shaggy dog featured in many) a whimsically long-drawn-out story humorous because of its length and the inconsequence of its ending
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Main Entry: ↑shag

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a long, rambling story or joke, typically one that is amusing only because it is absurdly inconsequential or pointless
Origin:
originally an anecdote of this type, about a shaggy-haired dog (1945)

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/ˌʃægiˌdɑːg-/ noun, pl ⋯ -ries [count]
old-fashioned : a long story or joke with an ending that is disappointing or that makes no sense

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ˌshaggy-ˈdog story [shaggy-dog story] noun
a very long joke with a silly or disappointing ending

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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