2007-02-27 06:19:47 · 22 answers · asked by Flying Scotsman 2 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
sorry Gerry Spurs fan - couldn't resist !
However I genuinely would like to know the proper answer to this.
2007-02-27 06:41:31 · update #1
You can claim to be a cockney if youu were born within the "Sound of Bow Bells", depending on your hearing ability!
I'd say anywhere in or near Bow, in Areas such as Stratford, Stepney, Leyton, Homerton etc. St Mary-le-Bow is a historic church in the City of London, off Cheapside. There has been a church on this site dating back to before the arrival of the Normans in 1066.
2007-02-27 06:25:57 · answer #1 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A "true" cockney is often said to be someone born within earshot of the Bow Bells, i.e. the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church in Cheapside in the City of London (which is not itself in the East End). However, the bells were silent from the outbreak of World War II until 1961. Also, as the general din in London has increased, the area in which the bells can be heard has contracted. Formerly it included the City, Clerkenwell, Finsbury, Shoreditch, Hoxton, Stepney, Bethnal Green, Whitechapel, Shadwell, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe, although according to the legend of Dick Whittington the bells could also be heard from as far away as Highgate.
2007-02-27 14:28:36 · answer #2 · answered by jay b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's traditionally defined as "one being born within earshot of the bells of St. Mary Le Bow church, Cheapside, City of London".
Cockney rhyming slang is actually an adaptation of slang originally used in northern England and only dates from the mid 19th century (1830s on).
It was used primarily by criminals in an attempt to confuse the police and their informers ("rozzers", "peelers", "bobbies" etc.), however this backfired because the police of the time quickly became as fluent as the criminals themselves.
I know the link below is a primary school simplification, but it is the best site available (plus a friend's kids attend there).
2007-02-27 15:24:44 · answer #3 · answered by Paul The Rock Ape 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Cockney is person from the London area within earshot of Bow Bells.
2007-02-27 14:26:17 · answer #4 · answered by JJ88 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Londoner?
2007-02-27 17:02:33 · answer #5 · answered by :) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A true cockney is someone born within the sound of bow bells.
2007-02-27 14:32:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, any Londoner born within earshot of Bow Bells.
2007-02-27 14:25:14 · answer #7 · answered by MICHAEL BRAMOVICH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone born within the sound of Bow Bells, east end of London
2007-02-27 14:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by Ann R 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Someone who was born within the sound of Bow Bells. An Eastender (someone from the East End of London).
2007-02-27 14:23:38 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs. Noo 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a Londoner born within ear-shot of the Bow Bells.
my old man is a cockney, born in Whitechapel & within distance of the Bells.
Cool, huh?
:)
2007-02-27 14:24:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋