Cocksure
/ˈkɒkʃʊə/noun
Overly confident; presumptuously certain of oneself.
Did you know?The term 'cocksure' originally referred to someone who was so confident that it was almost foolish, likening them to a boastful rooster strutting about.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
cocksure
“A term combining 'cock', a symbol of pride, and 'sure', meaning certain or confident.”
14th Century
English
cock
“Referring to a male bird, emblematic of brashness and arrogance.”
15th Century
English
sure
“From Old French 'sûr', meaning secure or certain.”
16th Century
English
cocksure
“A blend implying an overconfident attitude, rooted in the bravado of a cock.”
Modern English
English
cocksure
“Maintained its meaning of excessive self-confidence, often with a negative connotation.”