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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

JOCKIE, n. Also jock(e)y, jokky. [′dʒoke]

1. A stroller, vagrant beggar or pedlar, gipsy (Rxb.5 1948).Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. vii.:
The tribes of gypsies, jockies, or cairds . . . became few in number.
Rxb. 1881 R. Murray Hawick Songs 25:
The jockies in the fury Rave an' ruggit.

2. A horse-dealer; a postillion (s.Sc. 1850 N.E.D.).Sc. 1734 J. Cockburn Letters (S.H.S.) 6:
If the jokky has omitted the putting him into good order in the proper time, the white Bridle won't be enough.
Sc. 1766 Letter in Atholl MSS.:
Your Unsuccessfull Jocky in the sale of your horse.

3. Comb. jockie-coat, jock(e)y — -, a great-coat of heavy cut, prob. much worn by horse-dealers, postillions, etc. (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Now only hist.Sc. 1731 J. Creichton Memoirs 100:
One Coat, which was close to his Body, with close Sleeves, like those we call Jocky-coats.
Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 226:
Wi' their white headed staves and hodden-grey jockey-coats about them.
Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxv.:
Though a maud, as it is called, or grey shepherd's-plaid, supplied his travelling jockey coat.
Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck iii.:
The labbie of his jockey-coat.
m.Sc. 1950 O. Douglas Farewell to Priorsford 149:
Then a knock at the door, and in would limp a man with a jockey coat and a blew bonnet.

[O.Sc. jockie, = 1. from 1683. Dim. form of Jock, q.v., as Eng. jockey, a horse-dealer, a professional race-horse rider, etc., which is a borrowing from Sc. and n.Eng. of the 17th c.]

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