Middle English Dictionary Entry
cok n.(5)
Entry Info
| Forms | cok n.(5) Gen. cokkes. |
| Etymology | A veiled variant of god. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
In oaths and exclamations: bi cokke, by God!; bi cokkes bones (blod), by God's bones (blood)!, etc.
Associated quotations
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.9 : Se how he nappeth! se how, for cokkes [vr. goddes] bones, That he wol falle from his hors atones.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)126 : Look vp, Monk! for, by kokkis blood, Thow shalt be mery.
- (1447-8) Shillingford23 : That they be removed away for the nonys..by cokkis bonys!
- a1475 Mourn.Hare (Brog 2.1)39 : A-none schowe wyll swere, by cokkes sovle [Cmb: be cocks mawe], There is an haare in my haye.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)173/228 : And thou, knafe, thou thy mede shall haue, by cokys dere bonys!
- a1500 Play Sacr.(Dub 652)424 : Renne, felawes, renne, for Cokkis peyn!
- a1605(?a1500) Lond.Lickpenny (Hrl 542)416/93 : Ye be cokke, nay by cokke some began to cry.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)246/430 : Se, fellow, for cocks sowle!