Cock-and-Pinch, subs. (old).—The old-fashioned beaver of forty years
since. [From its being cocked back and front, and pinched at the
sides.] For synonyms, see Golgotha.
Cockatoo-Farmer, subs. (Australian).—In Victoria and New South Wales a
small farmer or selector. A term of contempt used by large holders in
describing agricultural squatters with small capital. [Probably an
allusion to their numbers: a comparing to the rush for land, the
swooping of cockatoos in myriads in new sown corn.]
1865. H. Kingsley, Hillyars and Burtons, ch. lx. The small farmers
[in Australian wool districts] contemptuously called cockatoos are
the fathers of fire, the inventors of scab, the seducers of
bush-hands for haymaking and harvesting [and many other heinous
crimes].
1886. G. Sutherland, Australia, p. 64. The shepherd king tries to
steal a march upon the poor cockatoo, as he contemptuously calls
the small farmer.
1887. G. A. Sala, in Ill. L. News, 12 March, 282, col. 2. I venture
to differ from my correspondent when, in telling me that ‘cocky’ is
Australian argot for a small farmer, adds, ‘by-the-by, you never
hear the word “farmer” over there ... many scores of times at the
Antipodes I have heard agriculturists, whose holdings were small,
spoken of, not as “cockies” but as “cockatoo farmers.”’
Cockatrice, subs. (old).—1. A common prostitute; also a mistress or
‘keep.’ [Nares says ‘probably from the fascination of the eye,’
alluding to the fabulous monster hatched from a cock’s egg by a
serpent. Shakspeare speaks of ‘the death-dealing’ eye of a cockatrice.]
For synonyms, see Barrack-hack and Tart.
1600. Ben Jonson, Cynth Rev., IV., 4. And withall, calls me at his
pleasure I know not how many cockatrices and things.
1604. Marston and Webster, Malcontent, O. P., iv., 93. No courtier
but has his mistress, no captain but has his cockatrice.
1630. Taylor, Workes [quoted by Nares]. And amongst souldiers this
sweet piece of vice Is counted for a captaines cockatrice.
1664. Killegrew, Pandora. Some wine there, That I may court my
cockatrice. Care. Good Captaine, Bid our noble friend welcome.
1740. Poor Robin. Some gallants will this month be so penurious
that they will not part with a crack’d groat to a poor body, but on
their cockatrice or punquetto will bestow half a dozen taffety
gowns, who in requital bestows on him the French pox.