As I say quite often: All Cockneys are Londoners, but not all Londoners are Cockneys.
St Mary-le-Bow
Traditionally, Cockneys are those born within the sound of Bow Bells and I often wondered how they defined this. And, thanks to Times Atlas of London, this can now be revealed. In 1851, it states, the sound of Bow Bells could be heard as far away as Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Camden, Southwark, Newham and even parts of Waltham Forest, as well as the nearby areas of the City of London, Aldgate, Bethnal Green etc etc. So: much of East London, a bit north and a little south.
But of course, much of those further flung areas were green fields then. No motor cars, no construction areas of any note, railways only developing. The noise would travel further.
So, what of today? A detailed study was set up and produced startling results:
The small blue area on the map shows just how far away the Bow Bells can be heard now. Not very far at all. But much more devastating is the conclusion that this study comes to: Cockneys are extinct!
It's true. There are no hospitals with a maternity department within this area. There are very few home births in this day and age, but even if there were, there is very little housing in this area - almost all of it is offices and other non-residential buildings.
http://www.timesatlas.com/news/pages/home.aspx?BlogID=64
However, despair not, for this same site offers a solution: simply download a recording of Bow Bells and, as your lady wife/partner is on the brink of delivery, play your recording and you will have a beautiful Cockney son or daughter.
Cockneys are mostly known for two things (no, not Chas and Dave specifically): Rhyming Slang and Pearly Kings and Queens. For those who don't know, "Pearlies" wear suits decorated with mother-of-Pearl buttons, often sewn into patterns. The tradition began with one Henry Croft who was either a homeless street sweeper or a working costermonger - depending upon which version you subscribe to. Croft was in the habit of collecting pearl buttons that had fallen from the suits of, probably, richer people. The tradition grew and Pearlies still have their special day in London even today.
A horseshoe shape means good luck; doves mean peace, a heart for charity, a cross for faith and an anchor for hope.
Cockney Rhyming Slang is supposed to have originated from the criminal classes who wished to hide their nefarious plans from anyone listening - especially the authorities. That may be Urban Myth, I don't know. CRS comprises of two words (sometimes co-joined with 'and' or 'of') the second of which rhymes with the word actually intended. Yet, often, only the first word is used! Hence, you might say 'me ol' China' rather than 'me ol' China Plate' (mate) or 'What do you think of me new Whistle?' (and Flute=Suit).
There are plenty of websites on the world wide interweb where you can learn the language - but if you are keen, do it quickly! Another survey reveals that very few Londoners use CRS anymore.
Music Hall songs celebrate many 'Cockney' locations: Down at the Old Bull and Bush, Burlington Bertie from Bow, Knocked 'em in the Old Kent Road - and so on. But I will leave you with my favourite verse from an old song - and somehow it almost seems significant even today....
Oh, it was a lovely gardin'
And Chingford to the eastward could be seen
An' wiv a ladder an' some glasses,
You could see to 'Ackney Marshes....
If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between
