Cockaigne

views updated May 21 2018

Cockaigne an imaginary land of idleness and luxury. Recorded from Middle English, the word comes from Old French cocaigne, as in pais de cocaigne ‘fool's paradise’, ultimately from Middle Low German kokenje ‘small sweet cake’, diminutive of koke ‘cake’.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Cockaigne (In London Town)

views updated May 23 2018

Cockaigne (In London Town). Concert-ov., Op.40, by Elgar, comp. 1900–1 and ded. to ‘my many friends the members of British orchestras’. Title refers to imaginary land of idleness and luxury from which word ‘Cockney’ is said to be derived.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

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Land of Cockaigne

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