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British Terminology - need help

Posted on: Tue, 02/24/2009 - 20:11
British Terminology - need help

I am using the following phrase in a story:

No, James wasn’t that cocksure kid anymore.

I know cocksure came from Shakespeare, but is the word used this way in the UK? Is there a better phrasing for it?

In the long run it probably doesn't matter, but I wanted to ask.

-Jonathan


Comments

Posted on: Tue, 02/24/2009 - 21:36 #1
Works fine for me

It's not a word which crops up in everyday speech, but in prose it performs its task splendidly.

Posted on: Tue, 02/24/2009 - 22:58 #2
Jonathan_Avery wrote: I am
Jonathan_Avery wrote:

I am using the following phrase in a story:

No, James wasn’t that cocksure kid anymore.

I know cocksure came from Shakespeare, but is the word used this way in the UK? Is there a better phrasing for it?

In the long run it probably doesn't matter, but I wanted to ask.

-Jonathan

Try using the shortened Cocky - It is the word used most often here

"No, James wasn't the Cocky kid he once was"

Posted on: Tue, 02/24/2009 - 23:13 #3
Cocky might be a better term

Cocky might be a better term even though it is prose.

The question is, is Cocky capitalized, as you did, or are you just doing that to bold the word?

thanks.

-Jonathan

- A good novel is an indivisible sum; every scene, sequence and passage of a good novel has to involve, contribute to and advance all three of its major attributes: theme, plot, characterization.
Ayn Rand - The Romantic Manifesto p. 74 (pb 93)

Posted on: Wed, 02/25/2009 - 07:43 #4
Jonathan_Avery wrote: Cocky
Jonathan_Avery wrote:

Cocky might be a better term even though it is prose.

The question is, is Cocky capitalized, as you did, or are you just doing that to bold the word?

thanks.

-Jonathan

- A good novel is an indivisible sum; every scene, sequence and passage of a good novel has to involve, contribute to and advance all three of its major attributes: theme, plot, characterization.
Ayn Rand - The Romantic Manifesto p. 74 (pb 93)

It was just to bold the word

Posted on: Mon, 03/02/2009 - 09:36 #5
Context is everything
bransfolly wrote:
Jonathan_Avery wrote:

I am using the following phrase in a story:
No, James wasn’t that cocksure kid anymore.

Try using the shortened Cocky - It is the word used most often here.

"Cocky" is an abbreviation of "cocksure". So depending upon context, use whichever you like.

And no, it's not usually capitalised, unless beginning a sentence, like I have just now ;-)

HTH HAND