Also cop, cup. [app. contraction of co’up = come up: cf. dup = do up.]
1. A call for domestic animals.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. East Anglia, Coop, a common word of invitation to domestic poultry … to come … to peck up the food thrown down for them. It is, perhaps, an abbreviation of the words come up.
1877. E. E. Hale, Level Best., etc., 281. We brought up in front of the barn, from which we had already heard shouts of ‘Coop! Coop!’
1883. Hampshire Gloss., Coop, a word used in calling horses; particularly when in the field they are enticed by a sieve of oats to be caught.
1888. Sheffield Gloss., Coop, a call for cows.
2. Coop or coop and seek (U.S.): the game of ‘hide and seek.’
Coop is the call of the hider when he is ready.
1885. I. N. Tarbox, Songs & Hymns for Common Life, 112.
| And then we play at coop and seek; | |
| The mystery is small; | |
| We hide behind the nearest chair, | |
| Or in the open hall. |
