Bow bells

[ boh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural noun

the bells of Bow church, in the East End district of London: traditionally, a true Cockney is born and raised within the sound of Bow bells.

First recorded in 1590–1600

If, in short, you have ever had the advantage of being born within the sound of Bow bells.

By the old sound and proverbial test a Cockney was a man born within the sound of Bow bells.

It seemed to carry an admonition with it; something like the premonition conveyed to young Whittington by Bow Bells.

One way of expressing the fact of being a Londoner used to be to say 'born within sound of Bow bells.'

This is true, and hence, let us judge leniently of the lad living within the sound of Bow Bells.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

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