abstract:Cock and Bull is the title of a volume composed of two novellas by Will Self, which includes the stories Cock and Bull. The two stories are characterized by empty, emotionless, phatic sex; rape; cruelty; and violence.
The passengers from therespective coaches wouldswapnews whilst waiting for the change and it is from this that the phrase "cockandbullstory" is said to have originated.
While "Cock" was about power plays within a sexual triangle, "Bull" presents bizarre power plays and one-upmanship within a tense office situation wherein one of three employees is allegedly going to be fired.