cockalorum

Noun

cockalorum (countable and uncountable, plural cockalorums)

1. (countable) A menial yet self-important person; a person who makes empty boasts.
   • I remark that everyone (with the exception of such Cockalorums as the Guard, who rather stands on the dignity of his uniform, I imagine) understands the Captain's English, while they don't seem to get on very well with my French.1871, F[rancis] C[owley] Burnand, More Happy Thoughts &c., &c. (Handy-Volume series; no. X), 2nd edition, London: Bradbury, Evans, and Co., 10, Bouverie St., →OCLC, pages 189–190
   • A Trifle from Your Own Cockalorum, Dyngwell the Dragoon. […] Come round me, my gay Cockalorums, / And list to your own Militaire, / Who'll stand you a dozen of jorums, / And sing you a rum-ti-tum air.1871 February 25, “Dyngwell the Dragoon” [pseudonym], “Songs of Sixpence”, in Punch, volume LX, London: Published at the office, 85, Fleet Street, →OCLC, page 82
2. (uncountable) Boastful speech, crowing.
   • 'Sounding grander is not always better,' answered the cobber. 'Did you never hear tell of High Cockalorum?' / 'High Cockalorum! What's that?' / 'It's what they call high footling speech, or a self-important man who likes to call everything by fancy names,' said his master. 'And as I heard it, it...2013, Leicestershire Guild of Storytelling, “High Cockalorum”, in Leicestershire & Rutland Folk Tales, Stroud, Glos.: The History Press, →ISBN
3. (uncountable) A game similar to leapfrog.
   • We played cockalorum from one side of the street to the other.2013, Clive James, The Complete Unreliable Memoirs

   Synonyms:

   high cockalorum