Originating in London's East End in the midth century, Cockney rhyming slang uses substitute words, usually two, as a coded alternative for another word. The final 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'. Commonly only the first word of the rhyming slang is used, for example, 'butchers' means 'look', whereby the original meaning can be difficult to guess, and in many cases, these single slang words are now widely used by people who are unaware of the cockney-rhyming origins.
Rhyming slang began years ago among the London east-end docks builders. Cockney rhyming slang then developed as a secret language of the London underworld from the s, when villains used the coded speech to confuse police and eavesdroppers. Since then the slang has continued to grow and reflect new trends and wider usage, notably leading to Australian rhyming slang expressions, and American too.
Many original cockney rhyming slang words have now entered the language and many users are largely oblivious as to their beginnings. 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. If you are easily offended, avert your eyes from the rude ones. Explanations of old and new interesting or amusing cockney rhyming slang not listed here are always welcome - send missing interesting old or new common cockney rhyming slang expressions, meanings and origins.
For example, the following slang expressions are very commonly used, and yet people do not generally realise they have cockney-rhyming origins:. There are many more examples of common slang words which are actually cockney-rhyming slang, in the listing below. Meanings and Definitions. This is not a full list of all cockney rhyming slang expressions and meanings - just a selection of the more interesting expressions, including many that have entered everyday language.
How many of these commons expressions did you know were originally derived from cockney rhyming slang? Some of these Australian rhyming slang expressions have origins in England. Many have Australian origins. If you know other Australian rhyming slang expressions please send them to us. Adrians Adrian Quist - pissed drunk Adrian Quist , Australian tennis champion of , and , and prolific doubles winner - including ten consecutive Australian championships with partners Jack Crawford and Don Turnbull, and , either side of the 2nd World War.
Zubrick - prick penis - possibly related to Arabic? If you know please contact us. Apparently other rhyming slang expressions originated in the USA, although seemingly usage is rather less common than in the UK and Australia, to say the least.
Know any more? If you want to learn more about cockney rhyming slang, the Cockney Rabbit book below is highly recommended. For additional entertainment try the excellent free online translation site at whoohoo. It's a very full dictionary of Cockney rhyming slang, written with humour and lots of useful side information about the roots of these wonderful cockney rhyming words and meanings. See also the cliches origins section on this website for other amusing and interesting derivations, definitions and origins of expressions and words.
See also cockney money slang, money history and other money slang expressions, meanings and origins in the money slang article. If you have suggestions or queries about Cockney rhyming slang, Australian rhyming slang or American rhyming slang please contact us.
Cockney Rhyming Slang: Meanings London cockney rhyming slang words, expressions, meanings, translations, explanations and origins, and Australian rhyming slang expressions Where does the Cockney Rhyming Slang Originate from? At its core, all it does is take one concept and replace it with another.
The Cockney accent is local to the East End of London, which is historically a more working-class area of the city. But there are a few theories as to why this phenomenon would occur.
Rhyming slang could be a cryptolect , which is a language that is purposefully impenetrable to outsiders. One possibility is that the slang was created by thieves and outlaws who wanted to evade the prying eyes or ears of others.
Being part of an in-group is historically a driving force in language change. Another option is that rhyming slang was created by costermongers, who were the people who sold goods on the street. They may have made a game out of creating rhyming slang, and used it to charm passersby or, less charitably, used it to confuse passersby into spending more money than they meant to.
Although it comes from the East End, the use of Cockney rhyming slang spreads far beyond the Bow Bells. Despite their travels, these phrases are undoubtedly heard most satisfyingly from the buoyant vocal box of a true, old-school, Cockney. Is the tradition dying out? A study carried out by the Museum of London in surveyed people, half of them Londoners, about their understanding and use of Cockney rhyming slang.
New references to popular culture have been updating the canon since Victoria sat on the throne. Some phrases have become obsolete, but some are here to stay. To find out more about Cockney rhyming slang, you can watch this archive footage about how it was used.
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A pound at a time, we believe we can get there. Love this atricle. My dad a London docker from Wapping used a whole lot more slang. Billo, meaning wathch out the authorities are about. I read these articles with some worry that people will take them as the full truth. A lot of rhyming slang has been made up in recent years, there is nothing wrong with that, but please recognise it as such. The mention of developing a language rather than odd words makes more sense and you could experience this in one of the wholesale markets Spitalfields, Smithfields etc.
Product quality was discussed in front of a potential buyer without him understanding what was being said. Likewise, Ruby, Rosie, plates, et al.. Whilst you look at this, you should also consider the names for various numbers and amounts of money. That was a big part of the patois with monkeys, ponies etc.
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