Anecdotes of the English language; chiefly regarding the local dialect of London and its environs; whence it will appear that the natives of the metropolis and its vicinities have not corrupted the language of their ancestors ; In a letter from Samuel Pegge ; to an old acquaintance [J. Nichols, the original editor] and co-fellow of the Society of antiquaries, London ; To which is added, a supplement to Grose's 'Provincial glossary' / [Samuel Pegge].

  • Samuel Pegge
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Anecdotes of the English language; chiefly regarding the local dialect of London and its environs; whence it will appear that the natives of the metropolis and its vicinities have not corrupted the language of their ancestors ; In a letter from Samuel Pegge ; to an old acquaintance [J. Nichols, the original editor] and co-fellow of the Society of antiquaries, London ; To which is added, a supplement to Grose's 'Provincial glossary' / [Samuel Pegge]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Mr. Way^ in his edition of the “ Promptorium Par- vulorum,” published by the Camden Society, has the following similar explanation of the word, but taken from a much later authority. CoKNAY (cokeney, K.) Carifotus, cucunellus, fotus, c. r. delicius, et sunt nomina derisorie Jicta, et inventa (lauticius, carenutus, coco- nellus, K. lucimellus, p.) [k. signifies a MS. at King’s College, Cambridge; c. f. the Campus Florum ; p. the edition of the Promptorium hy Pynson.] “ A coknay, amhro, mammotrophus, delicius. Versus, Delicius qui deliciis a matre nutritur.” cath. ang. The term coknay appears in the Promptorium to imply simply a child spoiled by too much indul¬ gence ; thus likewise in the Medulla, “ Mammotrophus, qui diu sugit. Mammotrophus mammam longo qui tempore servat, Kokenay dicatur, noster sic sermo notatur.” There can be little doubt that the word is to be traced to the imaginary region “ ihote Cokaygne,” described in the curious poem given by Hickes, Gramm. A. Sax. p. 231, and apparently translated from the French. Compare “ le Fabliaus de Coquaigne” Fabl. Barbazan et Meon. iv. 175. Palsgrave gives the verb “ To bring up lyke a cocknaye, mignotter ; ” and Elyot renders “ delicias facere, to play the cockney.” “ Dodeliner, to bring vp wantonly, as a cock¬ ney.” Hollyband’s Treasurie. See also Baret’s Alvearie. Chaucer uses the word as a term of contempt, and it occasionally signifies a little cook, coquinator. See further in Douce’s Illustrations, King Lear ; and Brand’s Popular Antiquities, notes on Shrove Tuesday.” The present edition is enriched by a biographical notice of Mr. Pegge, from the pen of his friend Mr. Nichols, and by the insertion of several papers for¬ merly included in the Anecdotes of Old Times.” H. C.
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