Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HALKERTON'S COW, phr. Found only in phr. (like) Halkerton's (Haulkerton's, Hackerston's) cow, different from what was orig. expected, in a different sense, in such a way as to alter circumstances, “another story,” hence adv. phr. Haulkerton-coo-wise, putting the cart before the horse (Mearns² 1925).Lnl. 1698 J. Kirkwood Plea before the Kirk 12:
But, when it comes to be their own Case, Hackerton's Cow, as we say, they stand not to break all over the Form.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 326–7:
That's Hackerton's Cow. Hackerton was a Lawyer, who gave leave to one of his Tenants to put a weak Ox into his Park to recruit; a Heifer of Hackerton's run upon the Ox and gor'd him; the Man tells him that his Ox had kill'd his Heifer: Why then, says Hackerton, your Ox must go for my Heifer, the Law provides that. No, says the Man, your Cow kill'd my Ox. The Case alters there, says he.Sc. 1745 Caled. Mercury (27 Sept.):
Another Express is arrived with Advice, That General Cope at the Head of the King's Army has totally defeated the Rebels: Which we hope will prove true. — Halkerton's Cow!Kcd. 1890 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 1) IV. 38:
The phrase “just like Haulkerton's cow” was long a proverb in the Laurencekirk district, applied to anything the opposite of what it was described to be.