Obs. [Supposed to be orig. COCK sb.8 and PIE, the ordinal of the Roman Catholic Church.] Used in an asseveration.
1550. Crowley, Epigr., 469. By cocke and by pye.
1557. Tottel’s Misc. (Arb.), 251. What though a varlets tale you tell: By cock and pye you do it well.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. i. 316. By cocke and pie, you shall not choose, Sir: come, come.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven, 160. I know a man that will neuer sweare, but by Cocke or Pye, or Mouse-foote. I hope you will not say they bee oathes.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xix. ‘Is he?’ replied the host; ‘ay, by cock and pie is he.’
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, xi. ‘By cock and pye it is not worth a bender.’
