Your Middle English word of the day
Today my favourite word (well, two words) are koc stappis, or cock-steps. It comes from a footwork drill in the MS Harleian 3542, a rather cryptic fifteenth-century text about English longsword training.*

Ever notice how, when a chicken walks, its toes hit the ground before its heels do? I think the point of the expression was to remind sword students to keep their weight on the balls of their feet rather than their heels.

Popular culture portrays ancient swordmasters as men of gravitas with profound spiritual insights. In actual practice, it seems they went around saying things like "Son, when you're in danger, always remember to walk like a chicken." I love it.

*Credit for the translation is due to lifegivingsword, who recently edited the section of the MS on swordfighting.