the bells of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, London: it is said that a true Cockney is born within earshot of these bells
Bow bells in American English
(bou)
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
Word origin
[1590–1600]This word is first recorded in the period 1590–1600. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Byzantine, attack, dummy, operator, tea