sb. and adv. [It is not clear whether ‘cock-horse’ was originally the name of a plaything, as it appears to have been by 1577, or whether the phrase ‘on (a-)cock-horse’ merely meant in a position (as e.g., on the knee) which was likened to that of being on horseback. The transferred sense evidently referred to the elation of a child in such a position.]
A. sb. 1. orig. Apparently a nursery term, applied to anything a child rides astride upon, as a stick with a horse’s head, a hobby-horse, any one’s leg or knee. Hence ride on a (or a-) cockhorse.
1540–1. Elyot, Image Gov., 96. The dotyng pleasure to see my littell soonne ride on a cokhorse.
1577. Harrison, England, III. ix. (1878), II. 64. We oft exchange our finest cloth, corne, tin, and woolles, for halfe penie cockhorsses for children.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. ii. VI. iv. 376. Sometimes he would ride a cockhorse with his children, though Alcibiades scoffed at him for it.
a. 1654. Selden, Table-t. (Arb.), 96. When you would have a Child go to such a place, and you find him unwilling, you tell him he shall ride a Cock-horse.
1675. Cotton, Poet. Wks. (1765), 218. I, astride a Cock-horse.
1861. Sala, Dutch Pict., ix. 135. That large man … whose knees comprise such an inexhaustible supply of cock-horses.
1863. Ld. Lytton, Ring Amasis, I. I. II. i. 83. When I was only able—equitare in arundine longa—to ride a-cockhorse on a stick.
Nursery Rhyme. ‘Ride a cock-horse To Banbury Cross.’
2. transf. A-cock-horse, on (a) cock-horse; mounted (as on a horse); astride.
1564–78. Bulleyn, Dial. agst. Pest. (1888), 66. The Drake with all the water foules did stoupe lowe and receiue their carriage, and when they were all a cockehorse together they wente into the water.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., III. xvi. 66. They … passe so farre in so little a space on cockhorsse [on broomsticks].
1622. R. Hawkins, Voy. S. Sea (1847), 76. The whale not being able to breath, swimmeth presently ashore, and the Indian a cock-horse upon him.
1660. Character of Italy, 7. His Petrified Sanctity riding a Cock-horse on mens shoulders.
1664. Butler, Hud., II. III. 134/41. And Ralpho got a Cock-horse too Upon his Beast, with much adoe.
1821. Combe (Dr. Syntax), Wife, III. (Chandos), 329. Riding a cock-horse on a star.
† b. Mounted aloft, perched up.
1704. Gentleman Instr. (1732), 167 (D.). The ladies sit on cockhorse upon scaffolds in open view.
† 3. fig. An exalted position, a place of triumph or ascendancy. Usually with on, a-. Obs.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxvi. (1887), 138. He that beareth a tankarde by meanesse of degree, and was borne for a cokhorse by sharpenes of witte.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. Sat. iii. 185. Hath got the farme of some gelt Vicary, And now on cock-horse gallops iollily.
1611. Cotgr., Il est à cheval, hee is set on cocke-horse; hee is all a hoight, hee now begins to flaunt it.
1657. T. Wall, Comm. Times, 41. There is no tyrannie like to that of a slave, whom vilany hath set a cock-horse.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Myst. Div., 22. Welth that rideth up a-Cock-hors (pass by the term) while Worth holdeth but the stirrup.
1829. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 10. The outbreak of an oppressed party, and setting it a-cock-horse on the oppressing one.
4. fig. A high horse; a proud, high-spirited horse; a stallion.
1599. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. Sat. iii. 185. Cock-horse, fat-pauncht Milo.
1858. R. S. Surtees, Ask Mamma, xxxviii. 160. He now goes drooping and slouching away, very unlike the cock-horse he came out.
† 5. To play at cock-horse: see quot. Obs.
1648. Hexham, Dutch Dict. (1660), Paerdeken op spelen, to Play at Cock-horse, or leape ouer one an others backes.
B. adv. In same sense as the phrases on a cock-horse, a-cock-horse, in A. 1, 2.
1566. Drant, Horace Sat., III. G v. To playe at even and odde, to ryde cockhorse in chyldyshe guyse.
c. 1720. Prior, Alma, I. 30. Alma, they strenuously maintain, Sits cock-horse on her throne, the brain.
a. 1764. Lloyd, Fam. Ep., Poet. Wks. 1774, II. 60. As boys ride cock-horse on a broom.
1878. Gen. R. Taylor, in N. Amer. Rev., CXXVI. 259. A huge fellow … was riding ‘cock-horse,’ on a gun.
