Barney?

[Brabbins]

Where does the word 'barney' meaning to have an argument come from?

[Chillum]

Barney Rubble - Trouble?

[Quizmonster]

'Barney' has been used - particularly in Australian slang - to mean an argument since the middle of the 19th century. I'm afraid that predates Barney Rubble and his Flintstones buddies by over 100 years!

[amarillis]

This link has an interesting explanation:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/13/messages/932.html

 

[Quizmonster]

Amarillis's link is fascinating, but according to 'TOED' the very earliest recorded use of 'barney' to mean specifically a row or argument - as opposed to a lark, spree, cheat etc etc - was in C R Thatcher's 'Colonial Songster', published in 1864.