Slang dictionary
cock on
or cock-on [kok on]
ŗŚĮĻĶų does cock on mean?
Looking for a fun new dirty slang term? Well, this isnāt it.
Cock on is something like the British slang of on point, meaning that it is “exactly right” or “first rate.” Cock onĀ can mean “keep up the good work” and as an interjection,Ā it means “Just perfect!” or “Agreed!”
The slang isn’t to be confused with cock-up, which means quite the opposite (and also has nothing to do with penises): a “mishap” or “to bungle.”
Related words:
- hundred points emoji
- dog’s bollocks
- Right on!
- spot on
Where does cock on come from?
The origins of cock on are a bit cock-eyed. It seems to come from UK youth slang in the 1990s and 2000s.
It may have to do with the phrase cock it on, apparently an early 1900s expression meaning “to exaggerate.” And, then there’s the nickname for roostersācocks … and their stereotypical arrogance and all that.
Other historic expressions thatĀ cock on stirs up include the 16th-century cock-a-hoop, a “state of exuberance or excitement,” based on medieval keg-tapping, which can get one full cock, or “completely drunk.” Definitely one to use at your next rager.
The Phrase Finder
Then there’s cock for all things “penis,” also based on … the rooster.
Weirdly enough, Green’s Dictionary of Slang, a bible for the slang underground, findsĀ cock on in 2001 in British playground speech. That’s … creepy.
Examples of cock on
Who uses cock on?
SayingĀ cock onĀ outside the UK (and Commonwealth countries) might get you in trouble with your HR department.
British English speakers, though, use cock on in a variety of ways in slang speech and writing.
They might describe something as cock-on, meaning “just right” or “great.”
Jedi is cock-on spirit of Star Wars, wriggling free of format dogma just a little, while celebrating. Themes that, by the end, make you want to be a rebel anew. Good work, full of nice details. Roll with the ride.
ā Timo Peach (@Momotempo)
As they say in the Midlands, Daveās jacket is ācock onā šš»šš»āāļø
ā Amy Winchester š¹ (@winchcognito)
They might crowĀ cock onĀ in support of someone or something they agree with, often in a cheeky manner.
Saw this yesterday, thoughts?
ā Niall Hannity (@Niallhannity)
Or, they might tell someone to cock on, which has shades of “don’t give up” or “keep it up.”
James Cordon, Cock on mate, but don,t beat yourself up that man Adele I,m sure won,t bat an eyelid she,s a real person.!!
ā Ken Dyson (@dKenuf)
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of cock on like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of cock on that will help our users expand their word mastery.