_Bowbell_ (Vol. v., pp. 28. 140. 212.).--Several of your correspondents
have pointed out instances of the use of the word _Bowbell_ as nearly
synonymous with _Cockney_. The following lines are, I believe, of
earlier date than any which have been quoted on this subject; but it is
not quite clear in what sense the word _Bowbell_ is there used.
They are from a satirical poem by John Skelton, who died in 1529; and
the subject of them is Sir Thomas More.
"But now we have a knight
That is a man of might,
All armed for to fight,
To put the truth to flight
By _Bowbell_ policy."