WHO WAS HOCKEY WALKER?

Shannon News, 5 April 1928, Page 3

WHO WAS HOCKEY WALKER?

ORIGIN OF FAMOUS PHRASES.

Among the books offered at a London saleroom recently was one entitled “Arithmetic,” by E. Cocker. It was from the famous Britwell Library, and it was knocked down for £37, as it " was a first edition dated 1678. The # expression. “It’s all right according to Cocker,” was formerly very common, and is by no 1 means obsolote to-day. It was upon Cocker’s arithmetic that schoolboys were reared during the reign of Charles II and for a century afterwards. He was the model of accuracy. From him there was no appeal. If it was in Cocker it must be light! The Irish Dramatist, Arthur Murphy, pouplarisod the phrase in his farce, “The Apprentice,” and it has become a part of everyday language. “Hookey Walker” has exactly the same meaning as “Tell that to thef marines.” If someone had told Sam Weller for instance, that Mr. Job Trotter was an honest man, he would have tapped his nose and said “Walker! ” Who, then, wa3 Walker, called “Hookov? ”

His real name was John Walker, and lie was an outdoor clerk' at Longman. Clementi, and Co.’s, Cheapsidc. Because of his eagle nose he was called “Old Hookey.” Walker’s main job was to keep the men busy ano report, any dereliction of duty to the [masters. Naturally it was tho main business of the men to throw doubt on Walker’s veracity, and at length the old man was so badgered and ridiculed that the firm abolished the post. But the term “Hookey Walker” could not be abolished so easily, and it still stands for a tale that cannot be trusted.

The origin of “ Jack Robinson” is lost in the mists of - antiquity. It occurs in an old play of Shakospere’s time, and even then it was probably a, common saying. Its modern use, however, is probably due to a to bacconist named Hudson who had a shop in Shoe Lane and wrote a song that was very popular in the early years of last century. The refrain was, “And he was off before you could say ‘Jack Robinson.’ ”