argy-bargy
\AHR-gee-BAHR-gee\
noun
1. Chiefly British. a vigorous discussion or dispute.
Quotes
The current argy-bargy over herring fishing seems to bring the whole issue of conservation, national fishing limits, and policing of the seas into perspective.
-- Brian Gardner, "Don't send a gunboat," New Scientist, July 21, 1977
Origin
Argy-bargy is a derivative of argle-bargle, the first element of which is a variant of word argue. The term was originally used in Scottish in the late 1500s.
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