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Thread: cocky watchman

  1. #1
    essexscouse essexscouse's Avatar
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    Default cocky watchman

    i have seen this an a post i remember this being a coggy watch man am i right? and where did the name originate?


  2. #2
    George
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    Origin unkown but it was Cockey Watchman and not Coggy.

    The story is that the watchman had a cocked eye that looked sideways.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Waterways's Avatar
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    A bent watchman. The word Cocky for watchman then became common. Kids called it Coggy.
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    George
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    Quote Originally Posted by Waterways View Post
    A bent watchman. The word Cocky for watchman then became common. Kids called it Coggy.
    Not down our neighbourhood they didn't,you got source link for reference?

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    Senior Member kevin's Avatar
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    It could well be that both words were in use in different areas - but I only ever heard Cocky. In many places they'd have a brazier at night for warmth. Health and Safety would probably make that impossible now.

  6. #6
    George
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    Quote Originally Posted by kevin View Post
    It could well be that both words were in use in different areas - but I only ever heard Cocky. In many places they'd have a brazier at night for warmth. Health and Safety would probably make that impossible now.
    And it could well be that someone shouting it fell on deaf ears? ie the both sound similair if shouted.

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    Senior Member wsteve55's Avatar
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    Definitely "Cocky" where I lived

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    Senior Member Waterways's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by George View Post
    Not down our neighbourhood they didn't,you got source link for reference?
    The reference is me growing up in Liverpool.
    The new Amsterdam at Liverpool?
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    becomes a Venice without canals, just another city, no
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    how it once was?


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    Smurf Member scouse smurf's Avatar
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    I'ver never ever heard the saying

    I suppose different area's of liverpool could have used different words

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    Pablo42 pablo42's Avatar
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    It was both of them in Birkenhead, cocky and coggie. They used to be either very bitter old men or very easy with their meagre hospitality. A strange breed indeed.

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    Senior Member Sirob's Avatar
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    They were common in the 1950's and into the 60's, usually protecting road works. here is the typical view of one in the early '60's.
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    You take them for granted - until one day they're gone!

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    Senior Member wsteve55's Avatar
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    That's a classic pic',Sirob!

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    Pablo42 pablo42's Avatar
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    True. As kids we used to go and visit a few of them. Imagine that, this day and age. We used to share tea and they would tell us stories of WW2. They all seemed to have served in one war or another. They never seemed sad or loosers to us kids, they seemed worldly wise and full of wonder. I can't imagine letting my kids or grand kids anywhere near guys like that. How times change, and for the worst.

  14. #14
    Senior Member lindylou's Avatar
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    Yeah, there was a cocky watchman in our local swing park and the kids would go and get a warm by the fire. All innocent stuff but would be frowned upon now.

  15. #15
    Pablo42 pablo42's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lindylou View Post
    Yeah, there was a cocky watchman in our local swing park and the kids would go and get a warm by the fire. All innocent stuff but would be frowned upon now.
    Jeeze, the poor guy would need a CRB check to even say hello to a kid now.Those guys were responsible for all us kids going away to sea and joining the Army. They gave us a thirst for wonder and adventure. Our dads were in the pub. Where could you get that now? All adults are child molesters these days. In fact we're not, 99.9% of us really care for kids.

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