Wallies

[retrocop]

As a Londoner born and bred I have often heard pickled Gherkins called Wallies with regard to Fish and Chip shops. Is this a term used around the UK as well as London? I have heard of the Scots 'Where's Wally' but I thought that was some comic book character. Why are Gherkins called Wallies.? Any one know.. Come on TTT me old cockney sparra.

[douglas9401]

Wallies in Scotland are false teeth. Pronounced wahleez.

[Redhelen72]

Found on google

a pickled gherkin. This old working-class name for a bottled delicacy is still heard in London. It may be a variation of 'olly', a corruption of 'olives', to which the gherkins were likened by earlier unso-phisticated eaters.

[237SJ]

Never heard of the term myself but I`m wondering if there is a Jewish connection (from the East End) with the name

[lankeela]

One theory is that Wallies was the name stamped on wooden cases that the gherkins arrived in and this originated among the market porters.

[barry1010]

Never heard gherkins called wallies up here in the midlands

[DTCwordfan]

Where’s our Wally? where’s our Wally?
The customers all cried
Where’s Wally? Where’s Wally?
Do you think he’s gone outside
It’s market day, it’s busy
Flickin' yer teeth oot shouldn’t be allowed
We’re never going to find him
If he’s out there in the AB crowd
We know he’s got his glasses,
dentures on and stripy vest
It’s kind of like retro camouflage
He blends in with all the rest
Where’s oor Wally? Where’s oor Wally?
Wherever can he be
Don’t worry, here’s Wally
The bloody gherkin's sitting next to me

[johnk]

Not on Merseyside

[douglas9401]

Aaaaaah. Penny drop moment.

Does he mean Oor Wullie?