cock a snook

phrase

variants or less commonly cock snooks
: to thumb one's nose
cocking a snook at the establishment

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cock a snook was in 1791

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Cite this Entry

“Cock a snook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cock%20a%20snook. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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