Cockney Rhyming Slang

Although ‘costermongers’ began in the 16^th century, it wasn’t until

Queen Victoria’s reign, when they became more prominent. . .

To be a proper ‘authentic’ cockney, you have to be born within the sound of

Bow Bells – this is the church of  Mary-le-bone in Cheapside, an area in

the East end of London (not ‘the’, Bow Bells of a district in London

called  Bow).

Rhyming slang was a development of the ‘Barrer (barrow) boys’, who were

the costermongers selling their wares - usually fruit and vedge out of their       

 wheelbarrow.  A keen eye, was also kept out for the ‘rozzers’ (policemen) and

the Customs and Excise men, who also frequented the ‘dockland’ area.

It was because of having to keep such a vigilant awareness of these officials,

that the art of secrecy and communications between the vendors that

became known as (Cockney) ‘Rhyming Slang’!

Today still, we have the ‘Pearly King and Queen’, who are the recognized,

costermongers, hailing from those bygone days. Their clothes are

adorned with pearly buttons – hence their title. Every year a procession

for the ‘Cockney Royals’ takes place with loads of jubilation on

Derby Day in which the ‘royal’ couple travel in a decorated  Donkey Cart!

The couple also a lot of charity work and when called for, they attend different functions, fully attired in their grandeur as does the Donkey . . .!!

When it is time for the Harvest Festival at St. Martins - in the – field,

the Pearly Princess will give vegetables as thanks.

Gradually, the language (slang) spread throughout London -  and, eventually

in a far lesser degree, throughout Britain, i.e. most people in the U.K.

understand the slang term of  “Up the Apples and Pears” (STAIRS) when

it’s time for bed !!

With the recent spate of British films (particularly), since the production

of  ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, rhyming slang is now known

worldwide – whether it has been able to be ‘understood’ is another matter!

O.k.  here are a few Rhyming Slang phrases and their meanings . . .

Dog (and Bone) = ‘PHONE

Example: Who were you talking to on the Dog? (sometimes, the whole slang phrase

is used) 

Syrup (of Figs) = Wig

Example: Look at that geezer with that syrup on! (again, you may use the

complete phrase)

Butchers (Hook) = Look

Example = Lets have a butchers, mate!

Would you Adam and Eve it? = Believe

Example = One number short of winning the lottery! Would you adam & eve it?!

Barnet (Fair) = Hair

Example: Shes got a lovely barnet

North and South = Mouth

Example: Hark at  the north & south on that . . .!!!

Mince Pies = Eyes

Example: Nah! He had ‘blue’ mince pies, not brown ’uns.

Hooter = Nose

Example: Wish he’d keep his hooter  outer my business

Plates (of Meat) = Feet

Example: I’ll be so glad to get these shoes off – me plates (of meat) are killing me . . .

These are just a few! There’s tons more! Don’t forget, that they would be used

by a Londoner who’d be ‘dropping’ his/her ‘h’ s & some vowels to get the proper,

dialect.

Comments:

This is great. Now I know why it is so difficult to understand the Cockney dialect. They are using a secret language!

comment by angiedw on Apr 11, 2008 2:01 PM ()

I must add, that most of the speech (nowadays) comprises, of the slang, but, in most cases, it is not merely to 'secrecise' what the people are talking about, but just part of there speech! Yes, it can be used between acquaintance's who understand it in order to pass on a bit of information that they don't want another person in their group (a foreigner, for example) to comprehend!

reply by augusta on Apr 13, 2008 10:28 AM ()

Too right they do -

reply by augusta on Apr 13, 2008 10:19 AM ()