How Do You Spell HANCOCK?

Pronunciation: [hˈankɒk] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "hancock" can be tricky for non-native English speakers. Its IPA phonetic transcription /ˈhænkək/ reflects the fact that the first syllable is pronounced with an open "a" sound, as in "cat." The "co" combination is pronounced as a /k/ sound, and the final "ck" is pronounced separately as a /k/ sound as well. Remembering to spell "hancock" with two "c's" and no "e" at the end might also be a challenge for some learners.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
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HANCOCK Meaning and Definition

  1. Hancock is a noun that typically refers to a handwritten signature or mark. It stems from the Old English words "hand" and "cock" which mean "hand" and "a projecting part," respectively. Originally, the term "hancock" was a colloquial expression primarily used in British English to specifically describe a person's signature or autograph.

    Over time, the usage of "hancock" has expanded to encompass various forms of signatures or marks made by individuals as a means of authenticating documents, art, or personal belongings. It can be used in a general sense to signify any type of written endorsement or endorsement-like symbol made by someone.

    The term "hancock" has also transformed into a proper noun, particularly in British English, due to its connection with the renowned British architect and designer Thomas Hancock. Being the namesake of the word, Thomas Hancock played a significant role in the development and popularization of the signature as well as the introduction of vulcanized rubber.

    Today, the term "hancock" is still widely used to describe a person's autograph or any type of written endorsement and is often employed in legal, artistic, and historical contexts. It serves as an integral part of authentication procedures and helps establish the identity and authority of an individual in written or symbolic form.

Top Common Misspellings for HANCOCK *

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for HANCOCK

Etymology of HANCOCK

The word "hancock" comes from the Old English name "Hancock" or "Hannock", which is derived from a combination of two elements: "Hanna" and "cocc". "Hanna" is a given name that means "grace" or "favor", while "cocc" is a word for "rooster" or "cock". Therefore, "Hancock" essentially means "graceful cock" or "favored rooster". Over time, the name "Hancock" evolved to become a surname and is associated with various notable figures, including the American statesman John Hancock, whose large and distinctive signature on the United States Declaration of Independence has become famous.

Idioms with the word HANCOCK

  • your John Hancock The idiom "your John Hancock" refers to someone's signature. It is named after John Hancock, an American statesman who boldly signed his name on the United States Declaration of Independence, making his signature synonymous with signing something. Therefore, when someone asks for "your John Hancock," they are asking for your signature.
  • put (one's) John Hancock on The idiom "put (one's) John Hancock on" means to sign one's name on a document or contract. It is derived from the signature of John Hancock, an American statesman and one of the Founding Fathers, who had a prominent and distinctive signature on the United States Declaration of Independence. Thus, "putting one's John Hancock on" something refers to signing it.
  • John Hancock The idiom "John Hancock" refers to a signature, typically a bold and prominent one. It is derived from the name of John Hancock, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

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Correct spelling for hancock
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