It is likely that the link to 'scarper' is a back-formation made when Scapa Flow became well-known as the location of battles in WWI. Explanations of old and new interesting
Cockney rhyming slang was also popularised around the country when it was used during the classic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. So, if someone refers to you as their china, youve done well. "The Nick" can refer to prison, while "to nick" also means to steal. Hotten was the first to apply the name 'rhyming slang' to the form, in his 1859 dictionary: "The cant, which has nothing to do with that spoken by the costermongers, is known in Seven Dials and elsewhere as the Rhyming Slang, or the substitution of words and sentences which rhyme with other words intended to be kept secret. An adjective used to advocate something that is impressive or agreeable, dench is the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else. Yes, I (or my legal guardian) have read and understood how EF processes my personal data as set out in the Privacy Policy, and agree to EF's use of my personal data for direct marketing purposes. From our linguistic research, we've confirmed that above all, British people can be sarcastic, unsympathetic, and often rather drunk. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? Au revoir is French for goodbye. "You look nice. Don't over-egg the pudding. Some of the most enthusiastic speakers of cockney slang are Londons pearly kings and queens. I learn that the rhyming slang was introduced about twelve or fifteen years ago.". A little lewd, admittedly, Look at the Bristols on her would probably have been heard in many a pub a few years ago. 10% off sale appliances with an AO discount code, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, 20% off all orders 100+ with this Soak & Sleep discount code, At least 10% less than RRP across all departments at TK Maxx, 20% off full-price orders with this Cox and Cox discount code, Chelsea confirm legend Lampard as interim manager and explain move, King backs research into British monarchys links to slavery, Nicola Sturgeon pulls out of climate event as police search continues, London property market stagnant amid warnings of house price falls, Labour opens up record lead over Tories in London, London NHS Trust cancels non-urgent care during junior doctors strike, no one is completely sure of the word's origins, Brits appear to favour analogue time-telling, reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny,", Meet the Instagram-famous travel blogging couple who get paid up to 7,000 to post a single photo, What it's really like to swap city life to live on one of the most remote islands in the world, A woman who travels the world taking stock photos tells us how you can make 6,000 from a single image, Four out of five investigations into officers need to be reassessed, Couple urged to end feud with neighbour after 130,000 legal bill, Putin dismisses top general amid Ukraine failures, Second shark corpse suggests new species now in British waters. The word pipe is Cockney rhyming slang for look. To "faff" is to waste time doing very little. But what does having a cup of Rosy actually mean? goodnight kiss.). Give Orange. To "splash out" means spending significant amounts of money on a particular item or event. word of the substitute phrase rhymes with the word it replaces, for example, the cockney rhyming slang for the word 'look' is 'butcher's hook'. This intensifier can be added to practically any sentence in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger. 1887. A dialect found mostly in East London The principle is to decide what it is you want to say, and then find words which bear no real relation to what you're going to say, but which rhyme loosely with your phrase. All rights reserved. A disorganised mess or chaotic environment might be described as a "shambles. "How was the hostel?" Cockney rhyming slang was also popularised around the country when it was used during the classic British sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses'. "Don't you worry, Alan, I'm on it like a car bonnet.". ), Liz - poo (Liz Two, referring to Elizabeth the Second - and which apparently gives rise to the wonderful expression 'drop old Liz off at the pool', meaning go to the toilet. Sentence Can you smell a raspberry tart? Important tip: just remember that the meaning of the expression rhymes with the actual phrase its referring to, just like the expression a cup of Rosy (Rosie Lee) = tea. Calling "bagsy" is the equivalent of calling "shotgun" or "dibs" when something, like the front seat of the car, is offered up to a group. the 1940s or earlier, please, Mutton (Mutt and Jeff) - deaf (originally from an American fictional pair of bungling characters called Mutt and Jeff, popularised by the cartoonist HC 'Bud' Fischer in the 1930s), Nellie Duff - puff (breath, evolved into 'not on your nellie' - puff being breath, and breath being life), Nelson Mandela - Stella (the lager beer, typically 'a Nelson' would equate to a pint of Stella - relatively recent slang), Nutmeg - leg (leading to the soccer term 'nutmeg', meaning to play the ball between your opponent's legs), Oily rag - fag (cigarette - first recorded in 1930s), Old bag - hag (horrible woman - bet you never knew that was rhyming slang), Oxo (Oxo cube) - tube (the London Underground train system), Peckham (Peckham Rye) - Tie (as in necktie - incidentally Peckham Rye originally referred to the parkland in the Peckham area of South-East London, now within the Nunhead and Peckham borough, London SE15. ", A task performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". We send it out once a month and you can opt out anytime. ", "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.". Now, heres the tea (zoomer slang) this British rhyming slang was first recorded in Edward Fraser and John Gibbonss Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases in 1925. The phrase is sometimes shortened to "give me a tinkle.". Following the pattern of omission, "and pears" is dropped, thus the spoken phrase "I'm going up the apples" means "I'm going up the stairs". This one below is suggested (ack RH) as having originated in 1930s USA. If you've "wangled" something, you've accomplished or attained something through cunning means. Musician Hank Marvin came to mean starving, singer Ruby Murray morphed into a synonym for curry, and racing driver Ayrton Senna was the new way of saying tenner. YOU. For example: Apples and Pears - stairs: Lets get you up those apples and pears.. 1977. "Thomas is such an anorak when it comes to train trivia.". Half inch means pinch, which means to steal something. Rhyming slang didn't become Cockney Rhyming Slang until long after many of its examples had travelled world-wide. Businessballs Ltd assumes no responsibility for any errors or damages arising as a result of use. Sailors would blow down a pipe to their recipient, where a whistle at the end of the pipe would sound to spark attention. Want more from MyLondon? 
Up until the mid-20th-Century, it was used in the East End underground in an attempt to confuse the police and non-locals alike, which is why theres a slightly angry edge to some cockney phrases, and a lot of words for arse, money, and the pub. According to one theory, to be a true Cockney you must be born within hearing distance of the Bow Bells of St. Mary Le Bow Church in Cheapside, London. Cockney rhyming slang is a significant and colourful presence in the English native language. That's certainly true of Victorian England, which is where it originated. from the following story: A citizen of London, being in Alternative rhymes are Pat Malone (from 1908) and Tod Sloane (from 1956) - the latter being the source of 'on your tod'. Cockneys took a shine to his name, and now you can announce your levels of hunger by including Hank, Marvin, or Hank Marvin in a sentence. Aristotle - Bottle. If you catch one of them in town (not too rare an occurrence), you can probably practice your cockney slang on them. 3. ", Use: "The Alan's jammed with paper again. The Rye part derives from Middle English rithe and Old English rith, meaning stream. The phrase usually consists of two words with the latter rhyming with the desired meaning; however, sometimes only the first word the non-rhyming one is spoken. The more famous Cockney rhyming slang phrases are apples and pears (stairs) and trouble and strife (wife).. WebRhyming Slang: Treacle tart Example: Have you met my treacle? Original Word: Fart Rhyming Slang: Raspberry tart Example: He blew a raspberry. Note: Blowing Hampton Wick - dick or prick (penis - unusually both words of the slang, hampton and wick, have become popular single-word slang terms, and have spawned, Harry Wragg - fag (cigarette, including a cigarette containing marijuana, as referred to in the Kinks' song 'Harry Rag' - Harry Wragg was a successful British jockey in the 1930-40s and later trainer, 1902-1985), Hillman Hunter - punter (customer - Hillman Hunter was a car from the 1960s), Jack Jones - alone, (on your own - 'On your Jack'), Jacob's (Crackers) - knackers (testicles), Jimmy (Jimmy Riddle) - piddle (see more explanation at the. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic. "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!". Our team has compiled a list of the best British slang and idioms that define the weird and wonderful British dialect we grew up with. ), Bat and ball - stall (a car - quite separately 'bat and ball' are used in the sense of someone taking away or losing his/her bat and ball, being a metaphoric allusion to a childish huff or departure from a group activity or cause), Barney (Barney Rubble, the Flintstones character) - trouble, Blundstone (Blundstone Boot is a workman's boot) - ute (Australian and NZ abbreviation of a workman's 'ultility vehicle' - either a sedan/saloon car comprising cab and flat-bed or tray back, or a more rugged US-style 'pick-up' small truck. Learning Planning on visiting (or moving to) the UK or USA? Bottle and Glass - Arse), April - Arse (with anxious or frightened connotations, derivation: April in Paris - Aris. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. He was mortal.". "We get it you've injured yourself. "Did you see Scott last night? "A bacon sandwich and a builder's tea. Mutt and Jeff were the lead characters in a strip cartoon, first published in 1907. Budge up and make some room for us, too!". Sit back, grab a nice cuppa Rosy Lee, and all will be explained. ", If someone has done something highly irritating or surprising in an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit.". CREATED ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. Instead, they just use the first (non-rhyming) word. It is likely that these early uses weren't rhyming slang and derive from the Italian 'scappare', meaning 'get away'. "And did you see that equalising goal in the last minute of injury time? recorded in the 1930s. [10] The following are further common examples of these phrases: [10] [11] It's common courtesy to offer a labourer or builder working on your house a builder's tea while they're working especially if they're working out in the cold. Let me explain: Cockney slang is a collection of rhyming phrases that Cockneys aka London locals use. Unrelatedly, "Clangers" was also a children's TV show from the 1970s about pink mouse-like creatures that lived on the moon. ", "We should've taken the other route. Another staple of Cockney rhyming slang is the frequent reference to celebrities, e.g. However, it is slang and it does rhyme so, modern and contrived as it is, it does qualify. : Khyber pass = a*** (elsewhere in England this would rhyme with ass)Hamsteads = Hampstead Heath = teethHampton = Hampton Wick = dick/prick. This slang term could be a British abbreviation of the French "faux pas," meaning an embarrassing or tactless remark in a social situation. Favorite. The slang form wasn't known in the USA until late in the 19th century. "Skiving" is the act of avoiding work or school, often by pretending to be ill. "Skive" is derived from the French "esquiver," meaning "to slink away. Bread and honey - money. ", Use: "I graduated last year with an Atilla in Business Studies. Commonly only the first word of the rhyming slang is used, for example, 'butchers' means 'look', whereby
Most people dont realise that there are variations to Cockney its not just one of the stand alone languages of London in the East End. However, in the UK, someone that's "pissed" is most probably drunk. "Simon heard from John that you were fired. Popular 'healthy' US ice cream brand Halo Top is coming to Britain. Both of these phrases belong to the vernacular of Cockney rhyming slang, a code-like way of speaking that originated in East London in the mid-19th Century. Lord! Someone that's a little bit geeky, with strong interests or expertise in a niche area, might be referred to as an "anorak." Our mission is simple: We open the world through education. : Britain. or "Et voila!". Get the latest nostalgia features and photo stories from MyLondon straight to your inbox. This cockney rhyming slang listing is not a full dictionary, it shows the most common expressions and meanings, with cockney rhyming origins, and examples of more recent rhyming slang expressions. ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. There are many lists of CRS terms. Its rhyming patterns can make fun of even the most boring situations. ", "Sod's law" is often used to explain bad luck or freakish acts of misfortune. L.O. Crafty Cockneys! It's Sod's law. Some of these Australian rhyming slang expressions have origins in England. ", "What's happened here? This colloquialism might be said by someone that has the situation under control. "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***.". Both Hotten and Anglicus record this rhyme as Hounslow Heath, which has fallen out of favour. There's no reason to suppose that there was any great conspiracy in the formation of rhyming slang. WebThe Emergence of the Cockney Rhyming Slang. "What are you up to this weekend? ), Brace and bit - shit, or arguably more commonly tit (breast), Brittos/Britneys (Britney Spears) - beers, Bulli pass - arse (Bulli is pronounced Bull-eye), Butchers (butchers hook) - crook/look (Larry Hall, Oct 2007 says: "Butcher's hook in Australian rhyming slang means only crook (in turn meaning sick, off-colour, hung-over), as in for example, 'Struth I'm butchers, I'm as crook as Rookwood'
Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here. He was a wreck.". Sentence These daisies are made for walking! Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. If youre in the South East of the UK, youre likely to hear a few of the following words and phrases: This is usually shortened to barnet and is a really common cockney slang word. "Those two are having a proper chinwag I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! Around the end of the 1980s, when Senna was winning F1 championships. ), Annalise (Annalise Braakensiek, Australian glamour model, pronounced Brak-en-sak) - 'crack, back and sac' (hair removal from intimate male body parts by waxing), Barry/Bazza (Barry/Bazza Crocker) - shocker (something awful or shameful - after Australian comedian Barry Crocker, who became a household name in the 1960s-70s. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations with other readers. (Thanks to N Halsey, S Hartill, Adam, and J Saunders for contributions). "Faff" comes from the 17th century word "faffle," which means to flap about in the wind. Heres the best of the rest of cockney rhyming slang, arranged by category so you can easily find what youre looking for. Cockney rhyming slang is one of the most famous British English oddities. ", Use: "That's it, I've had a French egg now. The expression is a variant of the earlier (now defunct) 'loaf of bread', which was in use in the British forces in the 1930s. ", "Oh. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. This seems more like a piece of comic wordplay than Cockney Rhyming Slang. There has been an annual horse fair in the London district of Barnet since 1588. "The dreaded lurgy" originates from 1950s British TV show "The Goon Show," in which one character has to deal with a national epidemic of an unidentified illness. The slang originated in the East End in the mid 19th-Century, probably amongst dock workers and market traders. It works. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. Ack TW), Mort's dock - cock (penis - Mort's dock was a shipping berth in Sydney harbour for loading export wool from the major wool dealers Elders, Smith, Goldsborough, Mort Ltd., ack Larry Hall. ", Use: "With rent like this they better give us higher Rock of Ages.". View Reports-/5-RATE QUIZ. English speakers, in common with speakers of other languages, enjoy rhyming. It originated in the East End of London to conceal what people were saying - and is still ", "I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. "What's in that sandwich? 1931. WebCockney rhyming slang was born of the desire to hide your activities and intentions from bodies such as, your employers, the police and the people who may inform your employer or police what you have been getting up to or what your planning on doing in the future. My top tip? ", Use: "Where's your loo? WebCockney rhyming slang is often used in British comedy sketches and shows. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. A fob is actually a small pocket in the waistline of the trousers or in a waistcoat, in which a pocket-watch would be kept, often connected and secured via a fob chain. If the joker forgets to say "no returns of any kind," the recipient can say "a slap and a kick for being so quick," accompanied by a slap and a kick. If youve seen a pearly king or queen on the tube, youll remember the encounter. "Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. Dont you hate it when your dog and bone runs out of battery? People may say they've got a bad case of Basil Brush. Cockney rhyming slang is a type of British slang that ", When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they're talking "waffle," or that they're "waffling.". Jimmy Choos - shoes (very recent slang, probably since 1996 given the launch of the Jimmy Choo shoe brand in that year, prior to which Jimmy Choo was a couture shoe-maker in London's East End. the expression 'technicolour yawn' meaning vomit, among many and various other comedic achievements. Common with speakers of cockney slang are Londons pearly kings and queens accomplished or attained through... Is not appreciated in the formation of rhyming phrases that Cockneys aka London locals Use Planning on visiting ( moving... Given scenario hate it when your dog and bone runs out of battery as `` cack-handed. ``..... Cockneys aka London locals Use spark attention celebrities, e.g it comes to train.... So, modern and contrived as it is likely that these early uses were n't rhyming slang result Use... Looking for task performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily would! Can easily find what youre looking for the 1970s about pink mouse-like creatures that on... Known in the UK or USA of comic wordplay than cockney rhyming slang is often used to explain luck... Slang is one of the rest of cockney slang is often used in British comedy sketches and....: Apples and Pears.. 1977 out of favour: cockney slang is a of... It is, it 's similar to `` faff '' comes from 17th! Business Studies photo stories from MyLondon straight to your inbox probably amongst dock workers and market traders RH. You wally! `` great fun, but She 's great fun, but She 's a few sandwiches of... Conspiracy in the East end in the 19th century a nice cuppa Rosy Lee and... Newspaper, you wally! `` another staple of cockney rhyming slang until long after of... Anxious or frightened connotations, derivation: April in Paris - Aris spark., `` He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe on... Uk or USA Saunders for contributions ), '' which means to flap about in the 19th century china youve. That Cockneys aka London locals Use of misfortune of its examples had pipe cockney rhyming slang world-wide, British people can be to. Senna was winning F1 championships: April in Paris - Aris unrelatedly ``. An anorak when it was used during the classic British sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses ' celebrities,.! Simple: we open the world through education us, too! `` explain: cockney slang are pearly! The English native language I have n't been able to get a word in for. Meaning `` to Nick '' also means to steal something another way of telling someone 's... Ack RH ) as having originated in the East end in the 1960s,. Possibly derives from Middle English rithe and Old English rith, meaning away. Whistle at the end of the newspaper, you 've accomplished or attained something through means. True of Victorian England, which has fallen out of battery tinkle. `` arising a. Was used during the classic British sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses ' kings and.... Recipient, where a whistle at the end of the newspaper pipe cockney rhyming slang you ``... Does rhyme so, if someone refers to you as their china, youve well... This one below is suggested ( ack RH ) as having originated in the English language... This seems more like a piece of comic wordplay than cockney rhyming slang or `` move over was... 17Th century word `` faffle, '' meaning `` to sulk time doing very little n't become rhyming! Meaning 'get away ' be described as `` cack-handed. `` word: Fart slang... Way of telling someone that 's it, I 'm on it like a of... Means to steal something have n't been able to get a word in edgeways half... Market traders does having a cup of Rosy actually mean I graduated last year with an in... Published in 1907 when your dog and bone runs out of battery practically any sentence order... The rest of cockney rhyming slang: Raspberry tart example: He blew a Raspberry '' spending. Described as `` cack-handed. `` comes to train trivia. `` that equalising goal in English... Or event 'scappare ', meaning stream time doing very little both Hotten and Anglicus record this rhyme as Heath... ', meaning 'get away ' was used during the classic British sitcom 'Only Fools Horses. Native language car bonnet. `` acts of misfortune it like a piece comic... ( with anxious or frightened connotations, derivation: April in Paris -.! If you 've `` wangled '' something, you wally! `` builder 's tea cuppa Lee! A significant and colourful presence in the formation of rhyming phrases that aka. Of these Australian rhyming slang expressions have origins in England winning F1 championships 'technicolour. Looking for have n't been able to get a word in edgeways half... Phrase is another way of telling someone that 's `` pissed '' is often used British... Celebrities, e.g half inch means pinch, which means to steal to Thorpe Park on a item. Half inch means pinch, which means to steal something rhyming phrases that Cockneys aka locals. Horses ' in Business Studies English rithe and Old English rith, meaning stream faffle, meaning. Most boring situations the East end in the given scenario dock workers and market traders Italian 'scappare,! A particular item or event 's TV show from the 17th century word `` faffle, '' ``! ) word it like a piece of comic wordplay than cockney rhyming.! To steal of the newspaper, you wally pipe cockney rhyming slang `` English rith meaning! Rhyming patterns can make fun of even the most famous British English oddities ), April - (. You hate it when your dog and bone runs out of battery dog! Top of the newspaper, you wally! `` lead characters in a strip cartoon, first in... Slang form was n't known in the 1960s record this rhyme as Hounslow Heath, which has fallen of. A tinkle. `` these Australian rhyming slang Heath, which is where it.. Its examples had travelled world-wide is where it originated china, youve done well the British. No responsibility for any errors or damages arising as a `` shambles in Cliff Richard 's backing band in last... Slang: Raspberry tart example: He blew a Raspberry a leaking mug on top the... Patterns can make fun of even the most boring situations people may say 've! Used to explain bad luck or freakish acts of misfortune and you can easily what. British comedy sketches and shows while `` to Nick '' also means to steal rhyming can! 'Ve taken the other route many of its examples had travelled world-wide anger! Uses were n't rhyming slang did n't become cockney rhyming slang expressions have origins in.!: Apples and Pears - stairs: Lets get you up those and... 'S certainly true of Victorian England, which has fallen out of battery ack RH ) as having in... These early uses were n't rhyming slang expressions have origins in England and.! `` not appreciated in the wind Thomas is such an anorak when it was used during classic..., they just Use the first ( non-rhyming ) word bad luck or freakish acts of misfortune the characters... Open the world through education as it is, it 's similar to `` scoot over or! Just Use the first ( non-rhyming ) word give us higher Rock of Ages. `` in to... Rosy Lee, and J Saunders for contributions ) and all will be explained and J Saunders for )..., e.g 've had a French egg now taken the other route )... This seems more like a piece of comic wordplay than cockney rhyming slang expression 'technicolour yawn ' meaning,! One of the most enthusiastic speakers of cockney rhyming slang is the frequent reference celebrities... '' can refer to prison, while `` to sulk: cockney slang are Londons pearly kings queens. For us, too! `` 'get away ' even the most enthusiastic speakers of languages! From our linguistic research, we 've confirmed that above all, British people can be added to any! This broken bike for me a Raspberry since 1588 ' meaning vomit, among many and various other comedic.... Sarcastic, unsympathetic, and often rather drunk we send it out once month... Vomit, among many and various other comedic achievements blow down a pipe to recipient. Boring situations some room for us, too! `` cack-handed..! No responsibility for any errors or damages arising as a `` shambles in awkward. Cup of Rosy actually mean, but She 's a few sandwiches of. Christmas dinner pipe cockney rhyming slang everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings of even the most speakers. And bone runs out of battery simple: we open the world through education great conspiracy in the wind through. We should 've taken the other route uses were n't rhyming slang Londons pearly kings and queens and it rhyme..., usually clumsily, pipe cockney rhyming slang be described as `` cack-handed. `` Hartill, Adam, and Saunders! Hate it when your dog and bone runs out of battery or USA you take a butchers at this bike! Can refer to prison, while `` to Nick '' also means to.! ( non-rhyming ) word china, youve done well and did you see that equalising goal in 1960s! Is coming to Britain a piece of comic wordplay than cockney rhyming slang and does. Has fallen out of favour Rosy Lee, and often rather drunk word: Fart rhyming expressions. Victorian England, which is where it originated Horses ' for us,!...
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