The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #94868   Message #1840062
Posted By: The Walrus
21-Sep-06 - 11:20 AM
Thread Name: English To English Translation Needed
Subject: RE: English To English Translation Needed
Giok,

I'd dispute your origins of 'cock up'

As I understood the origins, 'cock' was the typesetter's term for a single piece of movable type.

If one item of type was higher than the rest (either standing proud of the form or offset) it ruined the page - it was a 'cock-up'

W