Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825
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CLOCKING HEN, n. comb. Used gen. in Sc. to denote a brood hen, but note the following fig. uses. [′klɔkɪn —, klɔkŋ —]
1. "A cant phrase for a woman past the time of child-bearing" (Sc. 1825 Jam.2). Known to Lnl.1, Kcb.1 1936.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
If a bachelor be joked with a young woman, the answer frequently given is; "Na, na; if I marry, I'm for a clocking hen." The reason of this peculiar use of the word . . . is said to be, that a hen never begins to hatch till she has given over laying, in as far at least as her present lochter [the eggs laid in one season] is concerned.
2. "Applied to a woman while bearing and rearing a family" (Abd., Bch. 1933 E. M. L. Douglas W.-L.; also Bnff.2, Slg.3 1936).
3. "A sum of money put out to interest in a bank" (Abd. 1905 E.D.D.Suppl.; also Bnff.2, Slg.3, Lnl.1, Kcb.1 1936).
4. A roomy kind of message basket made with handles and body in one piece leaving a large hole through which the arm could be passed to carry it (Edb. 1959). Broody hens and their eggs were transported in this type of basket.
[From Clock, v., q.v.]
