Sc. [Only modern Sc.: the form corresponds to an earlier côf, which might be identical with ME. cofe, now COVE, slang for ‘a fellow’; but the words show little agreement in sense. Identity with Sc. coffe, also cofe, coif ‘merchant, hawker,’ has also been suggested, but here the phonology presents difficulty.]
A dull spiritless fellow; one somewhat obtuse in sense and sensibility.
1734. Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 27. Let coofs their cash be clinking.
1795. Burns, For a’ that, iii. Tho’ hundreds worship at his word, He’s but a coof for a’ that.
1858. Mrs. Oliphant, Laird of Norlaw, II. 18. Do you think I’m heeding what a coof’s ancestors were, when I ken I’m worth twa o’ him?
