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.
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.Ib.:
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.]
