hot cockles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareArchaic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “hot cockles” mean?
An old children's game in which one player is blindfolded and must guess who tapped them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An old children's game in which one player is blindfolded and must guess who tapped them.
A state or situation of being teased, startled, or playfully bewildered.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic and obsolete in both varieties. Modern British speakers might have slightly more historical exposure via literature.
Connotations
Historical innocence and childhood play. No modern connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low in both, effectively zero in contemporary speech.
Grammar
How to Use “hot cockles” in a Sentence
[Someone] played hot cockles.A game of hot cockles was played.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Only in historical or literary studies discussing games or social customs.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hot cockles”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hot cockles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hot cockles”
- Assuming it refers to a spicy food dish.
- Using it in modern conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a food. It is the name of an old children's game.
It is highly archaic and will almost certainly be misunderstood. Use 'blind man's buff' instead.
The 'hot' may refer to the blindfolded player being 'hot' (close) to guessing, or the excited state. 'Cockles' is obscure but may be related to 'knock' or a playful tap.
Primarily in historical texts, literature from the 17th-19th centuries, or academic discussions of historical games and pastimes.
An old children's game in which one player is blindfolded and must guess who tapped them.
Hot cockles is usually archaic, historical in register.
Hot cockles: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒt ˈkɒk(ə)lz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːt ˈkɑːk(ə)lz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in hot cockles (archaic: in a state of playful confusion or startled amusement)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOT potato being passed, but with a playful tap (COCKLES sounds like 'tickles'). A blindfolded game.
Conceptual Metaphor
IGNORANCE IS BLINDFOLDING (being kept in the dark is like playing the blindfolded player).
Practice
Quiz
'Hot cockles' primarily refers to: