Chapter Cobalt to Cock Lane Ghost of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Cock-fighting was introduced into Britain by the Romans. It was a favourite sport both with the Greeks and with the Romans.
   That beats cock-fighting. That is most improbable and extraordinary. The allusion is to the extravagant tales told of fighting-cocks.

“He can only relieve his feelings by the ... frequent repetition, `Well, that beats cock-fighting!' ”- Whyte- Melville.

   To live like fighting-cocks. To live in luxury. Before game-cocks are pitted they are fed plentifully on the very best food.

Cock-horse To ride-a-cock-horse. To sit astride a person's foot or knee while he dances or tosses it up and down.

Cock Lane Ghost A tale of terror without truth; an imaginary tale of horrors. In Cock Lane, Stockwell (1762), certain knockings were heard, which Mr. Parsons, the owner, declared proceeded from the ghost of Fanny Kent, who died suddenly, and Parsons wished people to suppose that she had been murdered by her husband. All London was agog with this story; but it was found out that the knockings were produced by Parsons' daughter (a girl twelve years of age) rapping on a board which she took into her bed. Parsons was condemned to stand in the pillory. (See Stockwell Ghost )