Pronunciation: [kˈɒkɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "Cocking" is spelled with a "C" followed by the letters "O-C-K-I-N-G". In IPA phonetic transcription, it would appear as /ˈkɒkɪŋ/. The "C" makes a "k" sound, the "O" is pronounced like "ah", the "C-K" forms a consonant cluster representing a single sound, and the "I-N-G" at the end creates a nasal sound. This word can be used as a verb or a noun, and is related to the act of lifting or raising something or someone up.
Cocking can refer to various meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
1. As a verb, cocking can describe the action of tilting or raising the rear part of a firearm's hammer or firing mechanism. This action is necessary to prepare the firearm for firing. It involves pulling back the hammer or lever, which sets the internal mechanisms in place for the gun to discharge a bullet when the trigger is pulled.
2. Cocking can also refer to the act of raising or tilting something, typically an object with a hinged or movable part. For instance, a person may cock their head to the side to express curiosity or interest, or a bird may cock its tail feathers to display aggression or courtship.
3. In a figurative sense, cocking can describe an attitude or behavior that reflects confidence, arrogance, or superiority. It refers to someone displaying a cocky or bold demeanor, usually characterized by a swagger or self-assurance.
4. Lastly, cocking can be a slang term used to describe the sexual act of erection or becoming erect. This definition is typically used in informal or explicit contexts.
Overall, the word "cocking" encompasses a range of meanings depending on the subject matter, including firearm preparation, the tilting or raising of objects or body parts, displaying confidence or arrogance, and a slang term relating to sexual arousal.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cocking" has multiple possible etymologies, depending on its context. Here are a few possible origins:
1. In the context of "cocking a gun" or "cockfighting" (the sport of pitting gamecocks against each other), the term "cocking" comes from the Old English word "cocc", which means "rooster" or "male bird". It is related to the Middle English word "cock", which means "rooster".
2. In the context of "cocking one's head" (tilting the head slightly to one side), the term "cocking" likely comes from the Old English word "coc", which means "to bend" or "to bow". It can also be related to the Middle Dutch word "coken", meaning "to nod".
