_A Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue_ (1796) (by Captain Francis Grose) says
that to "cry cockles" is "to be hanged: perhaps from the noise made whilst
strangling." The version of Molly Malone I heard as a child (recorded by
William Clauson) and which I have no reason to believe was based on
authority, said "she died of a favor and no one could save her." I
assumed it was a different pronunciation of "fever," but based upon the
current discussion, "favor" also makes sense.
Roxanne Kent-Drury
Assistant Professor
Literature and Language Department
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
website: http://www.nku.edu/~rkdrury/index.html
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