i have seen this an a post i remember this being a coggy watch man am i right? and where did the name originate?
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i have seen this an a post i remember this being a coggy watch man am i right? and where did the name originate?
Origin unkown but it was Cockey Watchman and not Coggy.
The story is that the watchman had a cocked eye that looked sideways. :ninja:
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by Waterways
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin
Definitely "Cocky" where I lived:unibrow:
The reference is me growing up in Liverpool.Quote:
Originally Posted by George
I'ver never ever heard the saying lol
I suppose different area's of liverpool could have used different words
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.
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.
That's a classic pic',Sirob!
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by lindylou
For a recent update on the "cocky's" of the present,look at the Liverpool news section! :disgust:
Me gets the fiddle out for you guys. :rolleyes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvhpD9XsrsE
Lindylou, I too remember Cocky Watchmen in parks. There was a very, very old guy (or so it seemed to me) who reigned supreme over Hawksmoor Park in Fazakerley, certainly during the 60s. We kids lived in holy terror of him, although thinking back, he probably did a good job! He had a small wooden hut and seemed to be there during all the daylight hours. This guy had almost mythical status in our area. My family still refer to any security guys as a Cocky watchmen. Anyone seen lovely kids cartoon "Percy The Park Keeper"? Lives in a hut in the park? I suppose "Percy the Cocky Watchman" didnt have the same ring.....................
yeah, I know what you mean :unibrow:Quote:
Originally Posted by wsteve55
The cockywatchman in our swing park was in charge of handing out the stilts and pogo sticks - anyone remember them ?! we thought our park was the best because you could borrow pogos & stilts and we had a sandpit too :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Partsky
My son had a 'Percy The Park Keeper' video. :)