cockney 
entangled with those of other words related 
only remotely or not at all, namely: (1) cock 1 , 
as in the desperate etym. ("Doth the cock 
neigh, too?") mentioned by Minsheu; (2) eoek- 
et s , cockish, cocky, etc., with allusion to pertness 
or conceit; (3) Cockaigne, Cockayne, an imagi- 
nary country of idleness and luxury, supposed 
(erroneously) to be related, whence its second 
meaning, ' cockney dom ' ; (4) cocker*, cock, and 
coax, i'., pamper, fondle, akin in sense but appar. 
not in origin. The only solution of cockney pho- 
netically satisfactory is historically unsupport- 
ed, namely, < OF. "coquine (ML. *coquinatus), 
taken in some such sense as 'a vagabond who 
hangs around the kitchen,' or 'a child brought 
up in the kitchen,' or ' a child fed in the kitchen, 
a pampered child.' The word would then be 
closely connected with OF. coquiner, beg (> co- 
i/nin (M.ii.* coquinus, ME. cokin), a beggar, a 
rogue, F. a rogue, a rascal, coquinerie, beggary, 
F. roguery, coquineait, a scoundrel), < L. co- 
quinare, serve in a kitchen, cook (hence the 
possible later sense of ' hang about a kitchen'), 
< coquina, a kitchen (> nit. E. kitchen), < coquus. 
a cook, > ult. E. cook^ : see cook 1 and kitchen. J 
I. n. If. A spoiled child ; hence, a foolish or 
effeminate person ; a simpleton : often used as 
a term of reproach without a very clear signi- 
fication. 
I bring vp lyke a cocknaye, je mignotte. Palsgrave. 
I sal be halde a daf, a cokenay. 
Chaucer, Reeve's Tale, 1. 288. 
I made thee a wanton, and thou hast made me a foole : 
I brought thee vp like a cockney, and thou hast handled 
me like a cockescombe. 
Lyly, Euphuea, Anat. of Wit, p. 103. 
A young heir or cockney that is his mother's darling. 
Nash, Pierce Penilesse. 
I am afraid this great lubber, the world, will prove a 
cockney. Shak., T. N., iv. 1. 
2f. In the following passages the meaning of 
the word is uncertain. It is conjectured to 
mean, in the first three, "a cock" or "a cook," 
etc.; in the last, "a cook." 
I haue no salt bacoun 
Ne no kokenay [var. cokeney (C), cockneyes (A)], by Cryst, 
coloppes for to maken. Piers Plowman (B), vl. 287. 
At that fest thay wer servyd with a ryche aray, 
Every fyve & fyve had a cokenay. 
Turnament of Tottenham (Percy's Reliques, p. 179). 
He that comth every dale shall have a cocknaie, 
He that comth now and then shall have a fat hen. 
Heywood, Proverbs. (Wright.) 
Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels, when 
she put 'em i' the paste alive. Shak., Lear, ii. 4. 
3. A native or a permanent resident of Lon- 
don: used slightingly or by way of contempt, 
and generally with allusion to peculiarities of 
pronunciation or insularity or narrowness of 
views. 
A cockney, applied only to one borne within the sound of 
Bow-Bell, that is, within the City of London ; which tearme 
came first out of this tale : That a Cittizens sonne riding 
with his father out of London into the Countrey, and being 
a nouice and meerely ignorant how corne or cattle in- 
creased, asked, when he heard a horse neigh, what the 
horse did. His father answered, "The horse doth neigh." 
Riding farther he heard a cocke crow, and said, " Doth the 
cocke neii?h, too? " and therefore Cockney or Cocknie, by in- 
uersionthus: incock, q[uasi] incoctm, i. [e.] raw or vnripe 
in Countreymens affaires. But in these dales we may 
leaue the terme Cockney, and call them Apricockes, in Lat. 
prcecocia, i. [e.] prcematura, i. [e.\ soone or rathe ripe, for 
the suddainnesse of their wits, whereof commeth our Eng- 
lish word Princockes for a ripe headed yoong boie. ... A 
Cockney may be taken for a childe tenderly or wantonly 
bred up. Minsheu. 
That synod's geography was as ridiculous as a cockney's, 
to whom all is Barbary beyond Brainford, and ChrUten- 
dome endeth at Greenwiche. 
\f hillock, Manners of Eng. People (1654), p. 221. 
4f. leap.} Same as Cockaigne, 2 (where see ex- 
tract). 
II. a. Pertaining to or like cockneys or Lon- 
doners : as, cockney conceit ; cockney speech, 
cockneyt (kok'ni), t>. t [< cockney, n.} To pam- 
per; fondle; cocker. 
The wise justice of the Almighty meant not to cockney 
us up with meere dainties. 
Up. Hall, Sermons, xxix. (Jan., 1625). 
cockneydpm (kok'ni-dum), n. [< cockney, 3, + 
-dom.'] The region or home of cockneys : a con- 
temptuous or humorous name for London and 
its suburbs. 
He [Sterling] called Cruikshank the Raphael of Cockney- 
aom - Caroline Fox, Journal, p. 144. 
COckneyfication (kok"ni-fi-ka'shon), n. ^cock- 
ney/;/ : see -fy and -ation.} The act of subject- 
ing, or the state of being subjected, to the ways 
and influences of London or of the Londoners. 
With regard to most romantip sites in England, there is 
a sort of average cockneyfication with which you must 
make your account 
H. James, Jr., Portraits of Places, p. 248. 
1080 
cockneyfy (kok'ni-fi), r. *. ; pret. and pp. cock- 
neyficd, ppr. cockneyfyiiig. [' cockney, 3, + -fy.'} 
To make like a cockney. [Colloq.] 
COckneyish (kok'ni-ish), a. [< cockney + 
-is/i 1 .] Relating to or like cockneys. 
cockneyism (kok'ni-izm), n. [(cockney + 
-ism.'] 1. The condition, qualities, manner, or 
dialect of the cockneys. 2. A peculiarity of 
the dialect of the Londoners. 
Tom . . . recognised the woman's Berkshire accent be- 
neath its coat of cockneyism. 
Kingsley, Two Years Ago, xxiv. 
cockodrillet, n. See crocodile. 
cockpaidle (kok'pa"dl), n. [Sc., also written 
cockpaddle; origin obscure.] A name of the 
common lumpsucker, Cyclopterus lunipus. 
cock-penny (kok'pen"i), . See the extracts. 
The payments were usually made at Shrovetide under 
the name of Cock-pence, as the master [of Cartmel gram- 
mar-school], as a sort of return for the compliment made 
to him, provided a cock for the sport of his scholars. 
Baines, Hist. Lancashire, II. 682. 
Formerly an admission fee [to the free grammar-school 
at Burnley] was paid, and a cock-penny at Shrovetide ; but, 
in lieu of these, the master is now allowed to make a 
charge of from four to six guineas a-year for eacli boy, for 
writing, arithmetic, etc. Baines, Hist. Lancashire, II. 34. 
cockpit (kok'pit), n. [< cock 1 + pit 1 .'} 1. A 
pit or inclosed place used for cock-fighting. 
And now I have gained the cockpit of the Western world, 
and academy of arms for many years. 
Howell, Vocall Forest. 
2. Formerly, an apartment under the lower 
gun-deck of a ship of war, forming quarters for 
junior officers, and during a battle devoted to 
the surgeon and his assistants and patients. 
3. A room in Westminster in which the Eng- 
lish Privy Council hold their sittings : so called 
from its occupation of the site of the former 
cockpit of the palace at Whitehall. 
He [Brougham] threatened to sit often at the cockpit, 
in order to check Leach, who, though a good judge in his 
own court, was good for nothing in a court of appeal. 
Gretille, Memoirs, Nov. 22, 1830. 
4f. The pit or area of a theater. 
Can this cockpit hold 
The vasty fields of France? or may we cram 
Within this wooden O the very casques 
That did affright the air at Agincourt? 
Shak., Hen. V., i. (cho.). 
cockqueant (kok'kwen), n. [Var. of cucquean, 
cotquean.} Same as cotquean. Warner. 
cockroach (kok'roch), n. [Formerly cockroche, 
an accom. of Sp. eucaracha, a wood-louse, a 
cockroach, = Pg. "cacaroucha, caroucha, a bee- 
tle.] The popular name of the insects of the 
orthopterous genus Blatta, in a broad sense 
comprising several species, of which B. (Peri- 
planeta) orientalis, the common cockroach or 
black beetle, 
may be regard- 
ed as the type. 
They have parch- 
ment-like elytra, 
and in the female 
the wings are im- 
perfectly devel- 
oped. They are 
nocturnal in their 
habits, and are 
very troublesome 
in houses, where 
they often multi- 
ply with great 
rapidity, infesting 
kitchens and pan- 
tries, and attack- 
ing provisions of 
all kinds. They 
have an offensive Female Cockroach (Blatta or Periflanela 
Smell. One of the oritntalis}, three fourths natural size, 
commonest cock- 
roaches of the United States is the Blatta nermanica, com- 
monly called croton-bug (which see). See also cut under 
Blattidce. 
cocks (koks), n. [Prob. pi. of cock 1 .} A com- 
mon name in some parts of England for the 
ribwort, Plantago lanceolate, from a children's 
game in which the flower-spikes are fought 
against each other like cocks in a cock-fight. 
cockscomb (koks'kom), n. [Also written (in 
def. 6 usually) coxcomb; < ME. cokkes comb, 
kokys coom, etc. ; < cock's, poss. of cock 1 , + 
comb 1 .} 1. The comb or caruncle of a cock. 
There ben white Gees, rede aboute the Nekke, and thei 
han a gret Crest, as a Cokkes Comb upon hire Hedes. 
Mandeville, Travels, p. 207. 
2. A name given to flowering plants of various 
genera. By gardeners it is properly confined to Celosia 
cristata (see cut under Celosia), but it is also applied to 
some similar species of Anuirantus, as well as to the yel- 
low-rattle, RJunanthus Crista-qalli, from the shape of its 
calyx, and locally to several other plants. In the West 
Indies the name is given to the Erythrina Crista-galli, on 
account of its crest-like corolla. 
3. A kind of oyster, Ostraa cristagalli, having 
both valves plaited. Also called cockscomb-oys- 
cock-sure 
ter. E. P. Wright. 4. In (mat., the crista galli 
of the ethmoid bone. See crista. 5. In lace- 
making, a bride. See bride 2 , 2. 6. A fop; a 
vain silly fellow : in this sense usually written 
coxcomb (which see). 
If the enemy is an ass, and a fool, and a prating Cox- 
comb. Shall., Hen. V., iv. 1. 
7. Naut., a notched cleat on the yard-arm of a 
a, Cockscomb of a Yard-arm. 
vessel to facilitate hauling out the reef-ear- 
ings Cockscomb-grass, the Cynosurus echinatus, an 
annual European grass, so called from the shape of the 
panicle. Cockscomb morion, a morion of the kind com- 
mon in the sixteenth century, having a high erect blade ris- 
ing above the headpiece. Cockscomb pyrites, a variety 
of marcasite, or white iron pyrites. See inarcasite. 
cockscomb-oyster (koks'k6m-ois"ter), n. Same 
as cockscomb, 3. 
Cocksfoot, COCksfoot-grass (koks'fut,-gras), n. 
The orchard-grass, Dactylis glomcrata, tall and 
coarse, but valuable for hay, and growing well 
in the shade : so called from the dense branches 
of the one-sided panicle. It is native in Europe, 
but widely naturalized in other temperate coun- 
tries. 
cockshead (koks'hed), n. [< cock's, poss. of 
cock 1 , + head.} 1. A name of the sainfoin, 
Onobrychis sativa, from the shape of its pod. 
2. In the West Indies, the plant Desmodium tor- 
tuosum, with much-twisted jointed pods. 
COCkshoott. " A variant of cockshut. 
COCkshutt (kok'shut), n. [Also in var. form cock- 
shoot; < cock 1 + shut.'} A large net for catch- 
ing woodcock by shutting them in Cockshut 
time, cockshut light, the time or the light (twilight) of 
evening : so called from that being the time when the cock- 
shut was commonly used, the woodcock then going out to 
feed. Nares. 
About cock-shut time. Shak., Eich. III., v. 3. 
For you would not yesternight 
Kiss him in the cock-shut light. 
B. Jonson, The Satyr. 
A fine cock-shoot evening. 
Middleton (and others), The Widow, iii. 1. 
cockshy (kok'shi),n. [(cock 1 , n., + S/M/2.] The 
act of throwing stones or other missiles at a 
mark or target. 
To settle the question of a geological formation by pick- 
ing up the stones and appealing to the test of a cockshy. 
Lord Strangford, Letters and Papers, p. 215. 
cocksper (kok'sper), n. [Cf. cockspur, 4.] A 
northern Scotch name of the fry of the salmon. 
cockspur (kok'sper), n. [< cock 1 + spur.} 1. 
One of the sharp spurs on the legs of a male 
gallinaceous bird. 2. A small wedge of clay 
or earthenware placed between articles of pot- 
tery to prevent their adhering during and after 
the process of glazing. 3. Inbot.: (a) ANorth 
American species of thorn, Crattegus Crm-galli, 
frequently cultivated as an ornamental shrub. 
(6) Pisonia aculeata, a West Indian shrub. -4. 
A small shell-fish. [Prov. Eng.] 
COCkspur-grass (kok'sper-gras), . A coarse 
annual grass, Panicum Crus-galli. Also known 
as barn-yard grass. 
COck-stelet, n. A stick to throw at a cock, in 
the game called cock-throwing (which see). 
Sir Thomas More, who wrote in the sixteenth century, 
describing the state of childhood, speaks of his skill in 
casting a cok-stele, that is, a stick or a cudgel to throw at 
a cock. It was universally practised upon Shrove-Tuesday. 
Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, p. 378. 
cockstone (kok'ston), n. Same as alectoria 1 . 
COCk-stridet (kok'strid), n. A short distance or 
space, like that passed by a cock in one stride. 
It is now February, and the Sun is gotten up a cocke- 
stride of his climbing. Breton, Fantastickes (February). 
At New Year's tide 
The days lengthen a cock's stride. Old saying. 
cock-sure (kok'shor), a. [Appar. < cod: 1 (per- 
haps with allusion to cockish, cocky, with ref. 
to pert self-confidence) + sure.} 1. Perfectly 
secure or safe. 
The devil was disappointed of his purpose ; for he 
thought all to be his own : and when he had once brought 
Christ to the cross, he thought all cock-sure. 
Latimer, Sermon of the Plough. 
2. Confidently or absolutely sure or certain. 
Hold ! I forbid the Banns ; you shan't have her, mun, 
for all you are so cock-sure. 
Mrs. Centlivre, The Man's Bewitch'd, v. 
