cove, n.2
Forms:
15–16 cofe, 15 coff, 16– cove.(Show Less)
Etymology: The early variant cofe has suggested that this is identical with Scottish cofe n., ‘chapman, pedlar’, the sense having undergone the same transition as in chap n.1, which is now nearly equivalent in meaning, save that cove belongs to a lower and more slangy stratum of speech. But the phonetic change of f to v , at so late a date, is not usual; and the origin of the word still remains obscure. Compare also co n.2
slang (orig. Thieves' cant).
A fellow, ‘chap’, ‘customer’; sometimes = boss n.6 (see quot. 18912). Frequent in the 20th century in Austral. sources.
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors
(new ed.)
Peddelars Frenche sig. Giii
A gentry cofe, a noble or gentle man.
1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors
(new ed.)
Peddelars Frenche sig. Giiiiv
What stowe you bene cofe..What holde your peace good fellowe.
1608 T. Dekker Lanthorne & Candle-light sig. B3v
The word Coue, or Cofe or Cuffin, signifies a Man, a Fellow, &c...a good fellow, is a Bene Cofe.
a1637 B. Jonson Masque of Gypsies 52 in tr. Horace Art of Poetry
(1640)
There's a Gentry Cove here, Is the top of the shire.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew
Cofe, c. as Cove.
1737 in Logan Pedlar's Pack
(1869)
147
Now my Kinchin Cove is gone.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word)
The master of a house or shop is called the Cove..; when joined to particular words, as a cross-cove, a flash-cove, a leary-cove, &c., it simply implies a man of those several descriptions.
1838 Dickens Oliver Twist I. x. 151
That old cove at the book-stall.
1891 N. Gould Double Event 115
I am not in the habit of being called a cove.
1891 K. Lentzner Austral. Word-bk.
Cove, master or overseer of an Australian station.
1911 C. E. W. Bean ‘Dreadnought’ of Darling xxxiii. 288
Recollec' that cove with a red beard.
1916 Anzac Bk. 65
Then a corporal called and wanted to know..when would the rubber boots be ready for the coves in the trenches?
1916 J. B. Cooper Coo-oo-ee vii. 84
‘He's one of those smart coves,’ said Sam.
1944 F. Clune Red Heart 67
‘Must be a balmy cove,’ whispered one of the hangers-on as he tapped his forehead.
1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 190
The young coves round about combed their hair back with soap to keep it in position.
1969 Advertiser
(Adelaide)
12 May 5/4
You Aussie coves are just a bunch of drongoes.
1567—1969(Hide quotations)