Have you seen the term 'cocksure' somewhere in a text or online and would like to know more about the meaning and context of the saying? The term 'cocksure' can be used to imply that someone is cocky or unnecessarily arrogant/confident about something. This post unpacks the meaning, origin and common use of this saying.
Meaning
The term 'cocksure' is a common phrase in the English language.
Someone who is called 'cocksure' is someone who is implied to be cocky, overconfident or arrogant about something.
The term 'cocksure' can be said directly to someone in conversation, or said about someone in reference while speaking to others.
The phrase can be used as a humorous phrase, or as an implied insult that someone is overconfident or arrogant about something.
The term 'cocksure' can also be used as confirmation that someone is absolutely sure about something. For this less common use of the term, 'not cocksure' can also be used to imply that someone is unsure about something (or less confident).
Sometimes the phrase can also be used to imply irony, where someone is not as confident as they might appear or put forth.
The context of the phrase 'cocksure' can generally be understood from the rest of what is being said.
The phrase can also be hyphenated to say it as 'cock-sure' to render a valid term.
Example Usage
“My grandfather spent all of his savings money on the race. He was cocksure that he chose the right horse, but he wasn't so sure by the time half the game was over.”
“I know exactly how tomorrow is going to go at work. Trust me, I'm cocksure.”
“He looks really cocksure, but I'm sure that's only false bravery and he's going to run like a coward at the first sight of a serious spreadsheet.”
“I used to be really cocksure as a student, and now I feel like I don't know what I'm doing – and with a whole lot of student debt to pay off.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'cocksure' goes back to the 14th century, where the saying is likely to have taken root in English farming communities that gave rise to several different common English expressions that make reference to the apparent arrogance of a male chicken.
The combination of the words 'cock' and 'sure' to create 'cocksure' comes from the common English use of 'cock' as a male chicken.
The phrase would retain its meaning (e.g. overt arrogance or mistaken confidence) throughout use of the phrase to modern times.
Website Urban Dictionary listed the phrase in 2021, even though much earlier use of it is apparent through several centuries.
Phrases Similar to Cocksure
- Headstrong
Phrases Opposite to Cocksure
- Pushover
What is the Correct Saying?
- [someone is] cocksure
Ways People May Say Cocksure Incorrectly
The phrase 'cocksure' can be misunderstood in the wrong context if someone does not understand the meaning behind the term.
The phrase does not necessarily translate well as a direct quote into other languages, and it could easily cause a fair amount of confusion for an audience with improper translation.
Sometimes the term is confused with 'headstrong' and gives the expression 'cockstrong' that would mean nothing.
The phrase is used in the singular form, and 'cocksures' would be incorrect, invalid use of the term.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Cocksure
The acceptable way to phrase 'cocksure' is to use the term in reference to someone who is confident or cocky.
The term 'cocksure' can be used for comedic effect, or it can imply that someone is unnecessarily arrogant or confident as a serious insult.
The phrase can also be used to mean, simply: are you sure?
The phrase can be said to someone (e.g. “You're cocksure, aren't you?”), or be used to refer to a third party (e.g. “They're real cocksure, aren't they?”).
The phrase can be hyphenated, and used as 'cock-sure'.