Cock-sure

Origin of: Cock-sure

Cock-sure

Cock-sure means absolutely certain, safe or secure and dates from c. 1520 according to the OED. The origin is uncertain, but the OED hints that it may derive from the word cock being a medieval perversion of God. Therefore, if something was God sure it would be certain. What is indisputable is that the etymology has nothing to do with feeling sure in a cocky or arrogant manner.