Cockernonnie
Encyclopedia
A cockernonnie or cockernonie was an old Scottish
women’s hairstyle
. It was a gathering up of the hair, after a fashion similar to the modern chignon
, and sometimes called a "cock-up". Mr. Kirkton of Edinburgh
, preaching against "cock-ups" – of which chignons were the representative in the mid-19th century – said:
Modern folk etymology has suggested that "cock-up" refers to a male erection
, or to the phrase "cacked up", but this is untrue.
It also means "foul-up" in England. "The Ministry of Defence's programme to make airworthy the eight Chinook Mk3 helicopters, which it acquired in 2001 for special operations work, has been a gold standard cock-up." BBC quoting Sir Edward Leigh on the failure to timely deliver Chinook helicopters to the military.
John Jamieson
was of the opinion that "cockernonnie" signified a snood
, or gathering of the hair in a band or fillet. Scott mentions it a couple of times in his novel
s.
And
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
women’s hairstyle
Hairstyle
A hairstyle, hairdo, or haircut refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human head. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles.-History of...
. It was a gathering up of the hair, after a fashion similar to the modern chignon
Chignon (hairstyle)
A chignon is a popular type of hairstyle. The word “chignon” comes from the French phrase “chignon du cou,” which means nape of the neck. Chignons are generally achieved by pinning the hair into a knot at the nape of the neck or at the back of the head, but there are many different variations of...
, and sometimes called a "cock-up". Mr. Kirkton of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, preaching against "cock-ups" – of which chignons were the representative in the mid-19th century – said:
- "I have spent all this year preaching against the vanity of women, yet I see my own daughter in the kirk even now, with as high a 'cock-up' as any of you all."
Modern folk etymology has suggested that "cock-up" refers to a male erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
, or to the phrase "cacked up", but this is untrue.
It also means "foul-up" in England. "The Ministry of Defence's programme to make airworthy the eight Chinook Mk3 helicopters, which it acquired in 2001 for special operations work, has been a gold standard cock-up." BBC quoting Sir Edward Leigh on the failure to timely deliver Chinook helicopters to the military.
John Jamieson
John Jamieson
John Jamieson FRSE was a Scottish minister of religion, lexicographer, philologist and antiquary.The son of the Rev John Jamieson, Minister of the Associate Congregation, Duke Street, Glasgow, he was educated at Glasgow Grammar School.He was educated at the University of Glasgow, and subsequently...
was of the opinion that "cockernonnie" signified a snood
Snood (headgear)
A snood is historically a type of European female headgear, or in modern times a tubular neck scarf. In the most common form the headgear resembles a close-fitting hood worn over the back of the head...
, or gathering of the hair in a band or fillet. Scott mentions it a couple of times in his novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s.
- "But I doubt the daughter’s a silly thing: an unco cockernony she had busked up on her head at the kirkChurch serviceIn Christianity, a church service is a term used to describe a formalized period of communal worship, often but not exclusively occurring on Sunday, or Saturday in the case of those churches practicing seventh-day Sabbatarianism. The church service is the gathering together of Christians to be...
last Sunday." (Old MortalityOld MortalityOld Mortality is a novel by Sir Walter Scott set in the period 1679–89 in south west Scotland. It forms, along with The Black Dwarf, the 1st series of Scott's Tales of My Landlord. The two novels were published together in 1816...
(1816)
And
- "My gude name! If ony body touched my gude name I would fash neither council nor commissary. I would be down upon them like a sea-falcon among a wheen wild geese, and the best of them that dared to say onything o’ Meg Dods, but what was honest and civil, I would soon see if her cockenonie was made o’ her ain hair or other folks." (St. Ronan's WellSt. Ronan's WellSt. Ronan's Well is a novel by Sir Walter Scott. It is the only novel he wrote with a 19th century setting.-Plot introduction:The novel concerns the rivalry of two men: Valentine Bulmer, the Earl of Etherington, and his half-brother Francis Tyrrel. Both wish to marry Miss Clara Mowbray, who is the...
1824)