Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈkɒk.ni/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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ˈkɒk.ni
Pronunciation notes
- GB
Adjective
From the East End of London, or London generally.
Usage- UK usage
- not-comparable
Of or relating to people from this area or their speech style.
Usage- not-comparable
Noun
Any Londoner.
Usage- UK usage
- Slang
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
A Londoner born within earshot of the city's Bow Bells, or (now generically) any working-class Londoner.
Usage- UK usage
- Examples
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Londoners, and all within the sound of Bow Bell, are in reproach called Cockneys.
A Cockney or Cocksie, applied only to one born within the sound of Bow bell, that is in the City of London.
More examples (2)
“Charming place, ma’am,” said he, bowing to the widow; “noble prospect—delightful to us Cocknies, who seldom see anything but Pall Mall.”
Parkinson: You made films before, but the part that really made your name was Zulu, wasn't it […] and there of course—against type—you played the toff, you played the officer. Caine: I played the officer, yeah, and everybody thought I was like that. Everyone was so shocked when they met me, this like Cockney guy had played this toffee-nosed git.
Proper noun
The dialect or accent of such Londoners.
Adjective
relating to or resembling a cockney
- Examples
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Cockney street urchins
Noun
a native of the east end of London
- Broader terms