Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COCK-A-BENDY, -BENDIE, n. comb. [′kɔkɑ′bɛndi]

1. “An instrument for twisting ropes, consisting of a hollow piece of wood held in the hand, through which a pin runs. In consequence of this pin being turned round, the rope is twisted” (Ayr. 1825 Jam.², — bendy). Cf. Thraw-cock, idem.

2. Attrib. with boat: a boat made by folding a sheet of paper to the appropriate shape (Abd.²² 1936).Abd. 1881 J. W. Ritchie Geordie Tough's Squeel (1931) 13:
An' syne we got oor leavin's oot Tae play oorsel's an' rin aboot . . . Tae sail a cock-a-bendie boat We made o' ony penny beuk.