From Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable:
Cock-a-hoop or Cock-a-houp. To sit cock-a-houp. Boastful, defiant, like a game cock with his houpe or crest erect; eagerly expectant. (French, coq à huppe.)


“And having routed a whole troop,
With victory was cock-a-hoop.”
Butler: Hudibras, i. 3.

Dr. Bill! Great heavens, that's better than the etymology that came with the W.A.D.!

My son said something was cock-a-mamie this afternoon, and that of course made me think of this word. Then I remembered that there's cock-a-leekie soup. What's with all the cock-a's, anyway? Are there more?

What's with all the cock-a's, anyway? Are there more?


Jackie!!! [shocked-and-appalled-e]

Hey--why d'you think I didn't put caca's?

Don't forget there's cocka too.

And cockapoo too.

And cockatoo poo, I would imagine...