beat Banaghan

Etymology
The Classic 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue speculates "perhaps Banaghan was a minstrel famous for dealing in the marvellous."

Verb

 * 1)  To tell wonderful stories, or something which is amazing and remarkable.
 * 2) * 1837, William Harrison Ainsworth, Rookwood (Revised), page 147:
 * "'Jack Palmer, as I'm a sinner,' cried Titus. 'Why this beats Banaghan. Arrah ! Jack, honey, what does this mean ? Is it yourself I see in such company?'"