cock-up

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A mistake.

   • And I'm sorry for all the cock-ups, my cabinet are absolute crap. We'll have to do better next year.
   • In over a quarter of a century of writing this column, there has been no end of scandals, mishaps, errors and general cock-ups resulting from ministerial incompetence.
2. 2

   A superior letter

   A superior letter; a lower-case letter placed above the baseline and made smaller than ordinary script; traditionally used in abbreviations.

   • The first word of every section or chapter is generally put in small capitals, after a small neat cock-up letter.
3. 3

   A roll or twist of hair worn at the nape of the neck

   A roll or twist of hair worn at the nape of the neck; a bun.

The neighborhood

• synonymbun
• synonymchignon
• neighborcock up
• neighborcocked-up