3. (American).—A drink composed of spirits (gin, brandy, whisky, etc.),
bitters, crushed ice, sugar, etc., the whole whisked briskly until
foaming, and then drunk ‘hot.’
Cocktail or Cocktailed, adj. (military).—Unsoldierlike; uneven; showing
bad form; and in its specifically military sense, anything unworthy of
the regular army. For example, at one time the Volunteer auxiliaries
were described as ‘such a cocktailed crew.’
1877. Five Years’ Penal Servitude, ch. ii., p. 67. He confessed he
not only urged his brother into it, but compelled him to be as bad
as himself, and had thrashed him many times for turning cocktail.
Cock-Teaser, or Cockchafer, subs. (venery).—A girl in the habit of
permitting all familiarities but the last.
Cock-up, subs. (printers’).—What is technically known as a ‘superior’;
e.g., the smaller letters in the following examples: