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-COO, n. comb. A fictitious animal figuring in the superstitious creed of the north-east fishermen. The lifting of their caps by the “cockie-coo” was looked upon as a bad omen, and prevented their taking part in the fishing that day. [′kɔkɪ̢′ku:]ne.Sc. 1935 I. Bennet Fishermen i.:
He was singularly free from conceit and superstitious beliefs. When the fishermen's caps were sometimes “lifted” Johnny refused to believe that that baleful beast, the Cockie-coo, had done this, and when other men ran to their homes and refused to emerge that day, he laughed. He strongly suspected that a gust of wind had been the Cockie-coo's fingers.Bnff. 1930 P. F. Anson Fishing Boats, etc. 37:
Buckie fishermen of fifty or sixty years ago, when they went out in the morning were convinced that a strange beastie, whom they referred to as the “cockie-coo,” was on the look out for them in order to seize hold of their “bonnets.”
