subs. (common).—1. A fool. [Cf., COD’S HEAD, of which it is possibly an abbreviation.] For synonyms, see BUFFLE and CABBAGE-HEAD.
2. (tailors’).—A drunkard.—[See verb, sense 2.]
3. (thieves’).—A purse; a COD of money = a large sum of money. [A.S. cod or codd, a small bag.] For synonyms, see POGE.
4. (streets’).—A ‘pal’ or friend; generally prefixed to a surname. [Here COD is the diminutive of ‘codlin,’ an old endearment.] Cf., CODD.
Verb (common).—1. To play the fool; to MONKEY (q.v.).
2. (tailors’).—To go on the drink; generally, to act loosely.
3. (common).—To chaff; hoax; ‘take a rise out of.’
1865. Evening Citizen, 28 Nov. CODDING a Town Council.—The Fife Circular, Kirkcaldy, says:—According to usual practice, several members of the new Town Council attended divine service at the Parish Church on Sunday forenoon last. The Rev. M. J. Bryden officiated, and preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon to the Council from these words in the 10th chapter of St. Matthew:—‘Ye are of more value than many sparrows.’
1884. W. C. RUSSELL, Jack’s Courtship, ch. xxxi. ‘What do you think of that, cook?’ ‘Think?’ answered the cook, who had a rather sour eye; ‘why, that that rough sailor man was a-CODDIN’ of you, sir.’
