Coventry. A corruption of Conventry--i.e. Convent town. Before the Reformation it was far famed for the number of its conventual establishments. The suffix try is Celtic for “dwelling.”
Coventry Street. From the residence of Henry Coventry, Secretary of State, temp. Charles II.
Cowcross Street. Where the cattle crossed the brook in days when this now congested neighbourhood was pleasant pasture land watered by the “River of Wells.”
Coxcomb. A vain, empty-pated individual. So called from the cock’s comb worn on the cap by the licensed jesters, because they were allowed to crow over their betters.
Cracker. Although the origin of this term when applied to a juvenile firework would appear to be self-evident, it is really a corruption of Cracque, the Norman description of “Greek Fire.”
Crackers. The people of Georgia, owing, it is said, to the unintelligibility of their speech.
Cranbourn Street. From the long, narrow stream of this name, when the whole district hereabouts was open fields.
Crank. One whose notions of things are angular, eccentric, or crooked. His ideas do not run in a straight line.
Cravat. Introduced into Western Europe by the Cravates or Croatians in the seventeenth century.
Craven Street. From the residence of Lord Craven prior to his removal to Drury House in Drury Lane.