Cockney

A Cockney, in the loosest sense of the word, is a working-class inhabitant of the East End of London. But according to tradition, the strict definition is limited to those born within earshot (generally taken to be three miles) of the Bow bells, in other words the bells of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside. However, the bells were silent from the outbreak of World War II until 1961. Also, of course, as the general din in London has increased, the area in which the bells can be heard has contracted. Formerly it included the City, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Finsbury, and Hackney although according to the legend of Dick Whittington the bells could be heard as far away as from Highgate.

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East End of London: The term East End is most commonly used to refer to the East End of London....

St Mary-le-Bow: St Mary-le-Bow is a historic church in the City of London, off Cheapside....

Cheapside: Cheapside is a common English street name, meaning 'market-place'. There are Cheapsides in Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Halifax, Lancaster, Leicester, Luton, and Manchester....