COCKNEY

A contemptuous appellation of a citizen of London. Various derivations have been a igned to this word, all of which are more distinguished for ingenuity than probability. But whatever may be the origin of the term, its antiquity cannot be disputed, as it is mentioned in some verses generally attributed to Hugh Bagot, Earl of Norfolk, in the reign of Henry II.: _ Were I in my castle at Bungey, Upon the river of VVavemey, I would ne care for the king of Cockeney (i. e. of London). [s. 255]