The word has been used to describe different things at different points in time. In addition to the uses mentioned previously Chaucer used it to describe ''an effeminate fellow'', or a ''milksop''. Progressively the word has come to be far more precisely used, but still can have different meanings to different people.
All yours Theo. The first recorded use of the word was in William Langland's 'Piers Plowman' - a ''small misshapen egg'' from middle English coken+ey (cock's egg). At the same time the mythical land of luxury 'Cockaigne' came under various spellings, including Cockayne, Cocknay and Cockney and was associated by landsmen with London. In later times it became a synonym for all town dwellers, but was, increasingly associated only with London, and, much later, only with the working class of that City. It has to be said that if we refer to Millwall fans or the Hammers today as ''small misshapen eggs'' it could well be misunderstood Take it away.
Cheers Cologne. "I saw what seemed a mere shrimp mount upon the table; but as I listened, he grew, and grew, until the shrimp became a whale." Who is describing whom?
As a good Yorkshireman I thought you might get this one, Yorkie. Boswell's diary comment on hearing one of Wilberforce's early speeches. Over to you...
It's mythology but there has been a musical based on the myths. The musical does not provide the answer to the question as far as I know.
That's it Fez. I'm not sure that she was born in Oswestry but the town is named after her dad, the giant Ogyrfan. The New Saints (TNS) are the most successful of the Oswetrian football teams.
Setting the damned questions is harder work than answering them! If anyone has one to hand then fire away! Please....
