subs. (popular).—A round, low-crowned hat—generally of soft felt, and with a broad brim. [MURRAY:—‘apparently the same as “BULLY-COCKED,” used 1721, probably meaning after the fashion of the “bullies,” or hectoring “blades” of the period.’]—The BILLY-COCK of the Antipodes differs from the English head-gear known by the name, in being made of hard instead of soft felt, and in having a turned up brim.
1721. AMHURST, Terræ-filius, No. xlvi, p. 246. [A description of an Oxford ‘smart’ or dandy.] When he walks the street, he is easily distinguished by a stiff silk gown, which rustles in the wind, as he struts along; a flaxen tie-wig, or sometimes a long natural one, which reaches down below his rump; a broad BULLY-COCK’D hat, or a square cap of above twice the usual size; white stockings, thin Spanish leather shoes; his cloaths lined with tawdry silk, and his shirt ruffled down the bosom as well as at the wrists. Besides all which marks, he has a delicate jaunt in his gait, and smells very philosophically of essence.
1862. Life Among Colliers, 35. I was told to take off my bonnet, and tie a BILLY-COCK [wide-awake] tight down.
1872. FARJEON, Grif, p. 14. With the men, mole-skin trousers, pea-jackets, BILLY-COCK hats, and dirty pipes predominated.
1884. Pall Mall Gazette, March 28, p. 11, col. 1. He wore a plaited blouse drawn in at the waist, and a dilapidated BILLY-COCK hat.
