English

Alternative forms

• cockney

Adjective

Cockney ‎(not comparable)

1. From the East End of London, or London generally

Noun

Cockney ‎(plural Cockneys)

1. (Britain slang) Any Londoner.
   • 1859, J.C. Hotten, A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Cant and Vulgar Words, 22

     COCKNEY, a native of London. An ancient nickname implying effeminacy, used by the oldest English writers, and derived from the imaginary fool's paradise, or lubberland, Cockaygne.

2. (Britain) A Londoner born within earshot of the city's Bow Bells, or (now generically) any working-class Londoner.
   • 1617, Fynes Moryson, An Itinerary

     Londoners, and all within the sound of Bow Bell, are in reproach called Cockneys.

   • 1617, John Minsheu, Ductor in Linguas

     A Cockney or Cocksie, applied only to one born within the sound of Bow bell, that is in the City of London.

Proper noun

Cockney

1. The dialect or accent of such Londoners.

Derived terms

• mockney

English

Alternative forms

• Cockney

Noun

cockney ‎(plural cockneys)

1. a native or inhabitant of parts of the East End of London
   • Macaulay

     A cockney in a rural village was stared at as much as if he had entered a kraal of Hottentots.

2. the accent and speech mannerisms of these people
3. (obsolete) An effeminate person; a spoilt child.
   • 1592, Nash

     a young heir or cockney, that is his mother's darling

   • Shakespeare

     This great lubber, the world, will prove a cockney.

Translations

Usage notes

• Traditionally, applies only to those born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside

Adjective

cockney ‎(not comparable)

1. of, or relating to these people or their accent

Derived terms

• cockney rhyming slang

French

Noun

cockney m ‎(plural cockneys)

1. cockney

Portuguese

Noun

cockney m f (plural cockneys)

1. cockney (a native or inhabitant of parts of the East End of London)

Noun

cockney m (uncountable)

1. cockney (English dialect of the White lower class of London)