† shy-cockn.
slang. Obsolete.
(? A cock that refuses to fight; also, a cock that is ‘shy’ or not easily caught. ? Hence:) A wary or cowardly person; also, ‘One who keeps within doors for fear of bailiffs’ (Grose Dict. Vulgar T. 1785).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > cowardice or pusillanimity > [noun] > coward(s)
coward?a1289
hen-hearta1450
staniel?a1500
pigeon?1571
cow1581
quake-breech1584
cow-baby1594
custard1598
chicken heart1602
nidget1605
hen?1613
faintling1614
white-liver1614
chickena1616
quake-buttocka1627
skitterbrooka1652
dunghill1761
cow-heart1768
shy-cock1768
fugie1777
slag1788
man of chaff1799
fainter1826
possum1833
cowardy, cowardy, custard1836
sheep1840
white feather1857
funk1859
funkstick1860
lily-liver1860
faint-heart1870
willy boy1895
blert1905
squib1908
fraid cat (also fraidy cat)c1910–23
manso1912
feartie1923
yellowbelly1927
chicken liver1930
boneless wonder1931
scaredy-cat1933
sook1933
pantywaist1935
punk1939
ringtail1941
chickenshit1945
candy-ass1953
pansy-ass1963
unbrave1981
bottler1994
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [noun] > cautious person
cautionista1656
shy-cock1768
pussyfoot1907
safety-firster1915
pussyfooter1923
piker1929
1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man iii. 33 There's not a prettyer scout..after a shy-cock than he.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 125 She layed all her snares for Dr. Lewis..but the Doctor, being a shy cock, would not be caught with chaff.
1796 F. Reynolds Fortune's Fool v. 59 The members rose, lock'd the door, and call'd me a shycock!—forced this pistol into my hand.
1804 Naval Chron. 12 396 He is a shy-cock.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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n.1768