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.
COCKS, n.3 pl. In phr. cocks a wairnin, hens a dabbin, a school-boy game, “so named from the cry which the capturing ring makes to warn the piercers of the ring that they are ready” (Per. 1910 P. M'O. D. in Scotsman (9 Sept.)). Slg.3 (c.1880) gives the form cocks are warning, hens are darning [hiding] for Edb.
[Cf. the similar idea in Cock, n.1, I. 1.]
