Say what?

I used to be reasonably diligent about reading The Economist (which, I know, sounds pretentious), but oddly enough right around the time Baby was born I all of a sudden found I didn't have time for it anymore. Which is a pity, not so much because I'm more ill-informed (although that's probably true), but rather because I miss trying to understand the quirky British expressions sprinkled throughout the articles. For example, I was reading this week's issue while waiting at the allergist's office today and came across these dandies (emphasis added):

"...the other side is cock-a-hoop."

"...in a cack-handed manner..."

"...it will be reduced to a rump."

"...included po-faced entries..."

"...may be sluggardly..."