Billy-Cock, subs. (popular).—A round, low-crowned hat—generally of soft felt, and with a broad brim. Speculation has been rife as to the derivation of the term. Murray says 'apparently the same as "bully-cocked," used 1721, probably meaning after the fashion of the "bullies" or hectoring "blades" of the period' (see quot.). A writer, C. K. C. in Notes and Queries, however [6 S., ii., p. 355], points out that 'these hats were first made for "Billy Coke"—or to speak more respectfully, Mr. William Coke—a gentleman well known at Melton Mowbray a quarter of a century ago [circa 1853], and used by him at the great shooting parties at Holkham. The old-established hatters in the West-end still call them "Coke hats." ' Of the reality of the personality of William Coke of Melton fame there is, and can be no doubt, and although the name of the hat may be derived from 'bully-cock,' yet the weight of evidence seems to be against it, unless a slight transference of meaning, very common in slang, has taken place.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Filius, No. 46, p. 246. [A description of an Oxford 'smart' or dandy.] When he walks the street, he is easily distinguish'd 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 waist; 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, Griff, p. 14. With the men, mole-skin trousers, pea-jackets, billy-cock hats, and dirty pipes predominated.
1884. Pall Mall G., March 28, p. 11, col. 1. He wore a plaited blouse drawn in at the waist and a dilapidated billy-cock hat.
2. (Australian.)—The billy-cock of the Antipodean colonies differs from the English headgear known by the name in being made of hard instead of soft felt, and in having a turned up brim.
For synonymous terms of head-gear, see Deerstalker.
Billy-Fencer, subs. (thieves').—A
marine store dealer.—See Fence.
Billy-Goat, subs. (common).—A
tufted beard; similar to that of
a goat.
1882. Standard, 11 Feb., p. 3, col. 2. Hair turning grey, hazel eyes, billy-goat beard. [m.]
Billy-Hunting, subs. (thieves').—Collecting
and buying old
metal.—See Billy-fence.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. and Lon. Poor, vol. I., p. 465. 'He goes tatling and billy-hunting in the country (gathering rags and buying old metal).'
2. Going out to steal pocket-handkerchiefs.—See Billy, sense 1.
Billy Noodle, subs. (American).—This
combination stands in
American slang for a fellow
whose self-conceit leads him to
suppose himself specially attractive
to the other sex. [From
Billy, a male name, + noodle,
a fool.]
Billy-Roller, subs. (common).—See
quotations.
