Meaning & Analysis
To take the spigot or tap (the 'cock') out of a cask of ale and rest it on the barrel's rim (the 'hoop'), letting the contents pour out without restraint, symbolizing extreme wastefulness and revelry.
Insights
Reckless Prodigality
The proverb signifies engaging in reckless, extravagant celebration or spending without any regard for the future consequences or cost, embodying a spirit of carpe diem taken to a destructive extreme.
Triumphant Arrogance
It describes a state of boastful, triumphant arrogance, often following a victory. To be 'cock-a-hoop' is to be exultant and to behave with unrestrained pride.
Abandonment of Social Order
The phrase can mean to deliberately cause a disturbance or cast aside all social conventions and rules, leading to chaos and disorder.
Willful Carelessness
It represents a willful decision to cast off all cares and inhibitions, embracing a carefree and festive attitude, often in defiance of problems or authority.
Tavern and Feasting Imagery
Rooted in historical tavern culture, the proverb's imagery of removing a spigot ('cock') from a barrel ('hoop') to let drink flow freely was a universally understood symbol of wasteful extravagance and unchecked celebration.
Evolution of Meaning
The phrase evolved from describing a specific act of prodigality to a more general state of being 'cock-a-hoop'—meaning exultant, boastful, or defiantly cheerful. This semantic shift reflects how concrete actions become metaphors for psychological states.
Literary and Social Disruption
In Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', the phrase is used to mean 'cause a chaotic disruption', highlighting its association with defying social order and unleashing turmoil, often out of pride or aggression.
Psychology of Unrestraint
The proverb captures the psychological impulse to cast off all inhibitions, whether in joyful revelry or triumphant arrogance. It speaks to a human desire for moments of absolute, often self-destructive, freedom from consequence.
Rhetorical Devices
Visual Imagery
The powerful and concrete image of an overflowing barrel creates a universally understood symbol for waste and lack of control.
Alliteration and Rhythm
The phrase 'cock-a-hoop' uses percussive alliteration and assonance, giving it a rhythmic, memorable quality that has helped it survive in the language as a popular idiom.
Synecdoche
The physical act of removing the spigot stands for the broader concepts of financial ruin, social chaos, and emotional abandon.
Transcription
Quotations
He setteth al thyngs at cocke in the hope.
They . . set them downe and dryncke well for our sauiours sake, sette cocke a hoope, and fyll in all the cuppes at ones, and then lette Chrystes passion paye for all the scotte.
Set cocke a whope, and play care away.
Wherefore reioyce, set cocke on hoope, Let nothing make thee sad.
These knaues Sit cocke-a-hope, but Hobson pays for all.
Nay, then —set Cock a hoope.
*He is prodigal.
Hudibras . . having routed the whole Troop, With Victory was Cock-a-hoop.
To set cock on hoop. *This is spoken of a prodigal, one that takes out the spigget and lays it on the top of the barrel, drawing out the whole vessel at once without any intermission.
Shakespeare Citations
You'll make a mutiny among my guests! You will set cock-a-hoop!
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.