Quote Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown View Post
I believe the word is a pronounced and spelled variation of the word spar meaning (among other things) to bandy words about in argument: to hotly dispute. The examples with the bucket of mud/new car really convey the texture of the word when used in context.
Actually no... it is pronounced spare....!! as in spare tyre... or spare tire for the US ,,, and Pleater's description had me smiling , remembering back to my days a child in a very similar situation!