cackling-cove, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

cackling-cove n.

[SE cackle + cove n. (1); ‘The cadger seeing no difference between observing Shakespeare and whining floridly for pence’ (Ware)]

(UK tramp) an actor.

1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.
1873		Sl. Dict.
1902		J.H. Yoxall Rommany Stone 116: Shoplifts, cackling-coves, fencin’-cullies, spruce-prigs, basks, snudgers, jacks, an’ bloody-murderers — there wasn't a one in the Newgit Calendar as you couldn't nab.
1909		J. Ware Passing Eng. of the Victorian Era.