Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a general term of address, esp. Cockney use.

1567		R. Edwards Damon and Pithias (1571) Gi: Farewell cocke, before the Colier againe do vs seeke, Let vs into the Courte to parte the spoyle, share and share like.
1625		Massinger Unnatural Combat I i: He has drawne bloud of him yet, well done, old Cocke.
a.1640		R. Brome New Academy III i: Cock, I protest Cock.
1732		Proc. Old Bailey 6 Sept. 215/2: They asked what I'd have to St. Katharine’s. I told them 18 d. Come down Cockes, says Flemming, we’ll give it you.
1762		Bridges Homer Travestie (1764) II 223: Be bold, my cock, don’t fear to die.
1796		Sporting Mag. June VIII 151/1: Different people, upon meeting a friend or relation, make use of some particular [...] mode of salutation, as for instance [...] ‘How fares it, my cock?’ ‘How are you, my hearty?’.
1811		J. Poole Hamlet Travestie I iii: Now, my cock, lead on!
1814		P. Freneau ‘On the Conflagrations at Washington’ in American Poetry 19C I 9: They said to Cockburn, ‘honest Cock! / To make a noise and give a shock / Push off’.
1837		R. Nicholson Cockney Adventures 18 Nov. 19: ‘Conwince yerself, my cock,’ replied Mr. Dribble.
1842		S. Lover Handy Andy 24: ‘That’s right, my cock,’ said he to Murtough.
1860		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc. (2nd edn).
1883		R.L. Stevenson Treasure Island 229: And now, my cock, you’ve got to go.
1900		T.J. Hains Mr Trunnell Mate of the Ship ‘Pirate’ Ch. ii: ‘My fine cock,’ said I, ‘if you haven’t a tongue, you probably have ears [etc.]’.
1906		E. Pugh Spoilers 12: An’ bring me a quart o’ Bass, cock, instead.
1919		C.H. Thorp Handful of Ausseys 114: Hey, cock, the Boche doesn’t shoot if yer’ve got tailor-made clothes — he does a swap.
1935		G. Ingram Cockney Cavalcade 177: Oh, yer mother’s ill, ain’t she, cock?
1943		‘Henry Green’ Caught (2001) 44: ’E’s a mad bastard, cock, no skylark.
1947		N. Streatfeild Grass in Piccadilly 78: That’s right, cock, give us a bit of music.
1956		‘Charles Raven’ Und. Nights 207: Yes, cock – I mean Sonny.
1966		B. Reckord Skyvers III i: Well, good night, cock.
1977		(con. 1950) J. Rosenthal Spend, Spend, Spend Scene 4: When you’ve washed your hands, cock.
1978		A. Burgess 1985 (1980) 148: What’s your number, cock?
1989		M. Amis London Fields 37: Hey, cock. Guy . . .

2. a man.

1732		Proc. Old Bailey 23 Feb. 90/2: Past cry'd out, Boys, here's a Cock! Court. What did he mean by a Cock? Beck. A Man.
1741		Ordinary of Newgate Account 31 July 🌐 We espied a § Boozey-Cock very bung, making Water against a Post [...] § Drunken Man.
1826		Cumberland Pacquet 12 Dec. 4/5: Jack’s a honest canty cock.