Daily Almanac for
May 25, 2012
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
| Share
 
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—C

Coxcomb

An empty-headed, vain person. The ancient licensed jesters were so called because they wore a cock's comb in their caps.

Coxcombs, an ever empty race,
Are trumpets of their own disgrace.

Gay: Fables, xix.

“Let me hire him too; here's my coxcomb.”

Shakespeare: King Lear, i. 4.

The Prince of Coxcombs.
Charles Joseph, Prince de Ligne. (1535-1614.) Richard II. of England is sometimes called the Coxcomb. (1366, 1377-1400.) Henri III. of France was called le Mignon, which means pretty well the same thing. (1551, 1574-1589.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Coxeyites
Cowper Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

More on Coxcomb from Infoplease:

    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark

Related Content
A free, reliable Q&A site for homework help. Answerplease.com

24 X 7

Private Tutor

Click Here for Details
24 x 7 Tutor Availability
Unlimited Online Tutoring
1-on-1 Tutoring
Explore Algebra Questions , Chemistry Tutor