text: a question for someone from the uk? what does it mean when someone has a cocknay accent? cockney - correct spelling.  an accent of the east end of london.  traditionally, (and this is almost under the 'folklore' heading nowadays) if you were born within earshot of bow bells (the bells at the church of our lady of bow), you were deemed to be a cockney.  if you have satellite tv, watch bbc prime and editions of 'eastenders' soap to hear what it sounds like.  (if you can bear the excruciating acting, that is!)