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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.

COCKIE-BENDIE, -bendy, Cockybendie, Cock-a-bendy(ie), n. comb.¹ [′kɔkə′bɛndi]

1. A small, bumptious or somewhat effeminate man; also applied affectionately to a small boy (Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Slg.³, Lnl.¹ 1936); “a sprightly boy” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.², cock-a-bendy).Edb. 1882 (3rd ed.) J. Smith Canty Jock, etc. 87:
Now this minister was a wee, fat, dumpy cockiebendy.Edb. 1930 (per Edb.²):
Cockie-Bendie's lyin' seek, Guess ye what'll mend him? Twenty kisses in a clout, Lassie, will ye send 'em?Arg. 1936 Rhyme (per Arg.²):
Cock-a-bendie and his wife, O' but they were canty.

2. Applied to a woman in a derogatory sense.Edb. 1866 J. Smith Poems 16:
Rise, cockybendies! gabblin luckies! Rise, swankies gay, wi' a' yer duckies!Edb.² 1930:
What a lot o' cockybendies Solomon had!