2007-09-25 05:04:13 · 12 answers · asked by booski 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Any person born WITHIN THE SOUND of Bow Bells - and that means St.Mary-le-Bow church which is just up the road from St.Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. It therefore has little to do with people from the "east end" of London as most of that is miles away, and nowadays VERY FEW people would qualify to use the title as the whole of the city has very few actual residents, they mainly being caretakers and house-managers of all the buildings in that area ! ! !
2007-09-25 05:15:40 · answer #1 · answered by minefelloff 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Define Cockney
2016-10-07 01:19:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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[1]. 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, Limehouse, Mile End, Wapping, Whitechapel, Shadwell, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Borough and Peckham although according to the legend of Dick Whittington the bells could also be heard from as far away as Highgate[2]. The association with Cockney and the East End in the public imagination may be due to many people assuming that Bow Bells are to be found in the district of Bow, rather than the lesser known St Mary-le-Bow church.
2007-09-25 05:20:07 · answer #3 · answered by Quizard 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And (I think) in a quieter era that Bow Bells could be heard all the way to Archway, as the legend of Dick Whittington says he heard Bow Bells call him back to London when he was part way up Archway Hill ('turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London
2007-09-25 05:19:37 · answer #4 · answered by Em 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The official version is someone that is born within the sound of the bells on Bow parish church in East London. It will depend on wind direction etc.
2007-09-25 05:18:49 · answer #5 · answered by ANF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Describes common working class Londoner, and as has been stated by others, within earshot of the Church of St. Mary le Bow bells. (Bow Bells)
2007-09-25 05:15:28 · answer #6 · answered by M M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought it was someone born within the sounds of Bow Bells, but I could be wrong!
2007-09-25 05:08:23 · answer #7 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aint They London Peeps?
2007-09-25 05:12:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cockneys are becoming extinct!
2007-09-25 05:13:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
born within the sound of Bow bells.
2007-09-25 05:12:15 · answer #10 · answered by christine s 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋