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Originally Posted By: tsuwmyeahbut, sense 1 (see above), being the earliest, looks like this:
1. Absolutely secure, or safe, from danger or interference.
Even if the OED is right and it doesn't refer to the bird, a more plausible explanation than the spigot or locking device would be that it is the opposite of the saying "to go off half-cocked," which refers to the firing of a musket and dates to about the time of the English Civil War in the mid 17th Century. To be cock-sure would be to be certain that the gun will fire because it is cocked properly.
Last edited by The Pook; 10/13/08 03:47 AM.
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted origin of word: cocksure zarafa101 10/11/08 11:45 PM Re: origin of word: cocksure latishya 10/12/08 12:16 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure The Pook 10/12/08 06:36 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure tsuwm 10/12/08 07:40 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure The Pook 10/13/08 03:44 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure tsuwm 10/13/08 04:52 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure The Pook 10/13/08 11:06 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure Faldage 10/13/08 11:14 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure The Pook 10/14/08 09:21 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure tsuwm 10/12/08 12:23 AM Re: origin of word: cocksure zarafa101 10/12/08 02:53 AM
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