argy-bargy
noun
ar·gy-bar·gy ˌär-jē-ˈbär-jē 
ˌär-gē-ˈbär-gē
ˌär-gē-ˈbär-gē chiefly British
: a lively discussion : argument, dispute
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Argy-bargy and its slightly older variant argle-bargle have been a part of British English since the second half of the 19th century. Argy and argle evolved in certain English and Scottish dialects as variant forms of argue. As far as we can tell, bargy and bargle never existed as independent words; they only came to life with the compounds as singsong reduplications of argy and argle. Some other colorful words that can be used for a dispute in English are squabble, contretemps, and donnybrook.
Synonyms
- argument
- argumentation
- back-and-forth
- colloquy
- confab
- confabulation
- conference
- consult
- consultation
- council
- counsel
- debate
- deliberation
- dialogue
- dialog
- discussion
- give-and-take
- palaver
- parley
- talk
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
reduplication of Scots & English dialect argy, alteration of argue
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined above
argy-bargy
noun
1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue wouldn't be a cricket match without a little argy-bargy over the umpire's every call Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- discussion
- debate
- consultation
- consult
- talk
- conversation
- deliberation
- dialogue
- argumentation
- palaver
- argument
- meeting
- conference
- confabulation
- parley
- confab
- dialog
- colloquy
- back-and-forth
- council
- consultancy
- give-and-take
- counsel
- negotiation
- discourse
- seminar
- chat
- symposium
- roundtable
- forum
- chat room
- disquisition
- bull session
- bargaining
- talkathon
- skull practice
- skull session
- rap
- words
- pourparler
2
as in quarrel
an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions the perennial argy-bargy over whether the monarchy should be abolished Synonyms & Similar Words
- quarrel
- dispute
- altercation
- disagreement
- controversy
- argument
- bicker
- brawl
- squabble
- contretemps
- fight
- tiff
- misunderstanding
- spat
- row
- disputation
- imbroglio
- skirmish
- debate
- argle-bargle
- wrangle
- feud
- donnybrook
- clash
- set-to
- tussle
- rhubarb
- cross fire
- tangle
- falling-out
- battle royal
- scrap
- kickup
- difference
- protest
- fisticuffs
- protestation
- objection
- hassle
- fracas
- logomachy
- contention
- vendetta
- melee
- dissension
- mêlée
- run-in
- catfight
- attack
- fuss
- dissention
- affray
- free-for-all
- fray
