COCKFIGHTING
NOUNS
► BATTLE-COCK a fighting cock → 1605
► BEATEM the conqueror; the one who excels all others; often used in cock-fighting → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► COWARD a cock which will not fight → 1684 obs.
► GAME, THE cock-fighting → L17 sl.
► HACK an independent match arranged between owners → 1937 Amer. dial.
► HACKFIGHT an independent match arranged between owners → 1976 Amer. dial.
► HAMMIE ► HAMMY a cock that will not fight → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
NOUNS – PERSON
► FANCY MEN patrons of the cock-pit and the ring → 1847-8
► GENTLEMAN OF THE MATT AND FEATHER an aficionado of cock-fighting → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HANDER a person who holds and incites a gamecock in a fight or contest → 1746
► HANDLER a person who holds and incites a gamecock in a fight or contest → 1783
► HEADSTOCK each of the leaders of rival groups of boys participating in a cockfight → 1834 Sc. obs.
► HEELER a person who fits spurs to the legs of fighting cocks → 1783
VERBS
► SHOOT THE PIT to rush out of the cockpit from cowardice; said of a fighting cock → 1675 obs.
Lexicophilia 