Whereas most types of slang work by replacing a word with a synonym — like "booze" for "drink" — rhyming slang replaces it with a two-or-more-word phrase that rhymes with the word being replaced, but whose ordinary meaning is totally unrelated to the word it's standing in for. ", Use: "That's it, I've had a French egg now. Check out the full list of cockney rhyming slang phrases below ", Use: "I can't come out tonight, I'm completely Boracic. It originated in London and it is generally associated with the working class living on the outskirts of the city Now we want to test your knowledge to see if you can guess what these Cockney Rhyming Slang phrases mean. ", Use: "Let's go down the rubber dub for a cuff link. Vera Lynn. Words from Yiddish such as 'gazump'. ) Cockney Rhyming Slang - London's Secret Language - Learn It/Speak It/Share It Apple Core Score (Twenty Pounds) Apple Fritter Bitter (Beer) Apples And Pears Stairs. Head to the MyLondon homepage. ", Use: "My cousin only went and got a Damien from Oxford! Andy McNab Cab (Taxi) Anna Maria Fire. The next step in the government's roadmap out of lockdown comes into force. Playful, witty and occasionally crude, the dialect appears to have developed in the city’s East End during the 19th century; a time when the area was blighted by immense poverty. Example: Apples and Pears. It's London's answer to Disney World but will this £3.5 billion theme park ever get built? That would be tricky enough, but there's a s… ", Use: "This cat keeps hanging about my garden, I reckon it's a gamma. This is a curious, colloquial way of constructing phrases in a conversation by replacing the word they want to say with 2 or 3 words that rhyme with that word but then just using the first word. I'm desperate for an Alex. It’s believed rhyming slang was initially intended as a coded language, utilised by groups such as thieves and market traders in order to mask conversations whenever strangers or law enforcers lurked nearby. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Cockney rhyming slang originally developed in London. London Underground and bus rules for when lockdown changes on March 29, What you need to know about travelling in the capital before restrictions ease, Rich House, Poor House: London property developer who swapped running multiple businesses for window cleaning and farming, Sutton-born Patrick's time on Rich House, Poor House has given him chance to step back and reflect on what's truly important in life, Two boys both shot and stabbed in a night of bloodshed in North West London, Everything you can do from Monday as we hit next step of easing lockdown, There are big changes to meeting up outdoors, sports and travel, London Covid: Nearly half of boroughs report increase as rates remain stubbornly high, Shakeel Mohammad: Ealing student missing for more than 11 days 'found safe and well’, His family have been reunited with the 25-year-old in hospital, Kate Middleton writes 'heartfelt' letter to Sarah Everard's family 'to express her absolute sadness', The Duchess of Cambridge used to live less than three miles from Clapham where Sarah vanished on March 3, Lidl shopper finds 'super cute' caterpillar in her shopping and decides to keep it as a pet, The family are waiting to see if 'Minty' the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, Young mum left baby alone to starve to death while she celebrated 18th birthday in London, Verphy Kudi, 19, pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter at Lewes Crown Court and will be sentenced later this year, 'We are completely broken' - Devastated mum pays tribute to teenage son stabbed to death in flat, 'A beautiful soul has been taken from this world far too soon,' said Tai's mum, Stacey, 'The Union Jack only reminds me of terrible things - and I am a white man', Tory plans of slapping a Union Jack plaster on a centuries old wound might eradicate the need for the flag at all, argues JAMES TWOMEY, 73-year-old appears in court after being accused of playing dominoes too loudly, Westminster Council has accused Ernest Theophile and his friends of anti-social behaviour, Homebase security guard 'scarred for life after bottle attack by shoplifter stealing hedge trimmer', A man has been rushed to hospital after being assaulted, Where can I go from Monday, March 29? Do you like talking on the 'dog and bone' with friends and do you enjoy a cup of 'Rosie Lee' in the mornings? Apples and Pears = Stairs. Much of Cockney slang relates to the names of famous people, often contemporary and then lost in time, hence the connection between the two can lose its inference. Something has gone wrong. Below is a massive list of cockney words - that is, words related to cockney. ", Use: "I can't be pregnant, I'm on the Harry. ", Use: "With rent like this they better give us higher Rock of Ages.". Cat and Mouse You should be feeling at home with your confidence building by this point. Cockney rhyming slang originated way back in the 19 th century, with estimates suggesting it began in the 1840s or 50s in either the East End or Seven Dials areas of London – the areas where so-called cockneys lived. Andy Cain Rain. ", Use: "Oi mate, would you put that kettle on the Arthur? So, for example, the above sentences asks you if you if you like talking on the phone with friends and enjoy a cup of tea in the mornings? Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Cockney slang originated in the markets in the East End of London (Credits: Getty) Hampstead Heath = teeth Hank Marvin = starving Jack Jones = … COCKNEY SLANG. ", Use: "Let's all go down to Brighton for an apple pip. The following is a list of well-known (to Londoners) examples of Cockney rhyming slang. Almond Rocks Socks. If you heard someone say "taters innit" what would they mean? it's very warm. Cockney rhyming slang was also popularised around the country when it was used during the classic British sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses'. explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. Our. Cockney Rhyming Slang. Cockney Rhyming Slang is a part of the English language that many English learners may not be familiar with. Carpet (carpet fitter) = bitter Battle (battleship and cruiser) = boozer Cockney rhyming slang; Suit. ", Use: "The Alan's jammed with paper again. Witty East-enders have been coming up with this slang since the early 19th century, making the way they speak baffling to those not in the know. ", Use: "What's given you the Donald, then? Minced oaths and euphemisms, such as 'Blimey' from God blind me. ) rozzer (“ policeman ”) (Cockney rhyming slang) S ; sabog: shoe: сапог (sapog, “ boot ”), cf French sabot (“ shoe ”) sakar: sugar: сахар (saxar), cf English saccharine: sammy: generous "(Good) Samaritan" (Bible Story); Russian "samoye", the most sarky: sarcastic: English slang, not exclusively Nadsat. it's foggy. Cockney Rhyming Slang is a specialised form of slang used in the East of London. Atilla the Hun. … Cockney Rhyming Slang is just shorthand for London or English rhyming slang. ", Use: "Me local perpetual has been no cop since it got taken over. Almond Rock Frock. Welcome to my Complete Dictionary of Cockney Rhyming Slang! Use: "I graduated last year with an Atilla in Business Studies." Whistle and Flute. Here is a list of 50 Cockney terms that you've probably never heard - along with their translation and an example of use in a sentence: Use: "I'm so skint until payday, could you lend us an Able? Widely-used and recognised as Cockney Rhyming Slang from the good old days. ", Use: "I've got a terrible pain in me Noddys. Looking for a Cockney translator? Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Appendix:Cockney_rhyming_slang&oldid=62226560, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Just when you think you are starting to understand what a cockney is saying to you they start with the cockney rhyming slang. ", Use: "I've got a bad case of the old Basil. “I’m going up the apples to bed.” Don’t be alarmed if a Londoner tells you … There are several meanings of “carpet" in both ‘Cockney' and other slangs: One may order a pint of ‘carpet' in a ‘battle' or ‘rubber'. Translation: 2:1 degree. Yes, cockney rhyming slang is a foreign language to most people, so I thought I'd let you in on the secret and help non-cockneys translate some of our favourite London sayings. List of Cockney rhyming slang in common use Adam and Eve — believe Adam and son - done Alan Whicker -‘’knicker‘’ apples and pears — stairs Almond Rocks - "Socks" aris (short for Aristotle) — bottle or bottle and glass-'arse' ball of chalk — walk Barclays Bank, J. So, a cockney might say something like: “Watch out, Fred’s trouble and strife is stomping down the street.” Some would argue that “wife” and “trouble and strife” aren’t just rhymes, but synonyms , and … ", Use: "I've only gone and sent it to print with a huge coat hanger in the headline! … ", Use: "I had to take my laptop to the shop because I opened an email with a nasty Billy Ray attached. April Fool Stool. ", Use: "Get in here quick, your trouble's on the KY.", Use: "I've got a terrible pain in me lager. London Cockney slang is mainly comprised of: ) Words from Romany, such as 'chavvy' a child, and 'mush' a friend. ) It is a kind of antilanguage where words are replaced by phrases that rhyme (sound the same): North and south = mouth Adam and Eve = believe Sometimes, the last word is dropped. There are 500 cockney-related words in total, with the top 5 most semantically related being english, accent, londoner, london and bow bells.You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. This page was last edited on 22 March 2021, at 10:49. Many terms are based on popular culture, and so the cant table is constantly updated according to changing fashions. The London Resort faces challenges from the vast array of spiders that live on the site to the current deadline, 'He's been struggling to cope': Mum's fears for missing son, 19, who has been shielding in Ladbroke Grove, "Richard has never done anything like this. Fans couldn't believe what they were witnessing. ", Use: "I'm Hank Marvin mate, wanna go get an itchy? Use: "I graduated last year with an Atilla in Business Studies." Cockney speakers have a distinctive accent and dialect, and occasionally use rhyming slang.The Survey of English Dialects took a recording from a long-time resident of Hackney, and the BBC made another recording in 1999 which showed how the accent had changed.. ", Kingsbury shooting: Two boys both shot and stabbed in a night of bloodshed in North West London, London building named most beautiful in the world 'according to science', A study using the golden ratio has deemed this London church to be number one, The Line of Duty stars who have been friends for 20 years and are ‘like brother and sister’ off set, The pair have been acting together since they were 11 years old, The Line of Duty star who's been in almost every TV show going from EastEnders, Call The Midwife and The Bill to Heartbeat, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Hi there! Apples and Pears (Shutterstock.com) Cockney rhyming slang is a particularly British form of slang with an unusual twist. ", Use: "Mate, that girl is proper Brad Pitt. ", Use: "If you need some work done on your car my cousin's a great ginger beer. Although, some say it was used as a code by criminals to avoid being detected. Here's what will be allowed from then. Aris = Aristotle = bottle & glass = arse (a two-stage rhyme) [see Plaster below] So, for instance, in rhyming slang, "stairs" gets turned into "apples and pears." Translation: 2:1 degree. You might be thinking, 'what on earth have I just read' if you're not familiar with Cockney rhyming slang. Once a piece of slang gets into the dictionary, other users can rate it classic, modern or mockney. An example of rhyming slang based only on sound is the Cockney "tea leaf" (thief). In English, a slang word is a word that isn’t really considered to be standard English but is something that many people continue to use nonetheless. For many years, Londoners have been using catchy words and phrases in sentences that rhyme with the actual words they mean to say, Essex Live. COCKNEY: ENGLISH: USE AND CULTURAL MATTERS A: Abergavenny: Penny : Abraham Lincoln: Stinkin : Acker Bilk: Milk: Would you like Acker in your coffee? Trouble and strife. ", Use: "I graduated last year with an Atilla in Business Studies. Something went wrong, please try again later. New rules explained as lockdown restrictions ease. Want more news? 7 talking about this. ", Use: "I'm off to the caff for some Merlyn, are you coming? An example of phono-semantic rhyming slang is the Cockney "sorrowful tale" ((three months in) jail), in which case the person coining the slang term sees a semantic link, sometimes jocular, between the … Now it has grown into a well-known dialect that is humorous, politically […] ", Use: "These train strikes are a Diet Coke! Car pursued by police collides with lamppost in South London leaving 19-year-old passenger in critical condition, She is one of five female occupants of the car which failed to stop for officers in South London, Metropolitan Police outline how eased lockdown restrictions will be enforced from March 29, The Met say officers will continue to shut down large gatherings that are a health risk, The Chase fans call for a permanent change after incredible contestant. scoteena: beast, cow: скотина (skotina, “ brute ”) It is sort of texting in reverse – whereas texting abbreviates the actual words, rhyming slang is a longer version. People may say they've got a bad case of Basil Brush, The 13 London lidos back open and the new rules in place after coronavirus lockdown, The geographically accurate London Underground map that shows exactly where each station and line is, London’s 'oldest Indian restaurant' may close after 81 years as owners plead for support, The 19 beaches near London telling visitors to stay away as social distancing isn't possible, The Notting Hill Church where Madame Tussaud’s wax models were made, The little known hack that could save Londoners hundreds of pounds on NHS prescriptions, This is why you get so many seagulls in London when it's not by the sea, London Marathon 2020 officially cancelled for everyone but elite runners - and 2021 postponed, The gorgeous town near London that's as beautiful as any beach in Britain, Ban on parties and freshers: The new normal at one of London's best universities, Aldi's miracle £2 product that makes clothes smell amazing, The 19 new places you have to wear a face mask in from today, The reason why Brent has so many London Underground stations, The Only Fools and Horses star who dated her on-screen son for 29 years, The couple starred together in one of the most memorable episodes of the BBC sitcom, ITV Saturday Night Takeaway: Here's what the original mini Ant and Dec look like now. Cockney rhyming slang was often in Only Fools and Horses. So without further ado, here are our top 10 must know Cockney rhyming slang phrases: Barney rubble – ‘trouble’: “Are you making Barney Rubble again?” Baked bean – … ", Use: "You and your sister will have to share the pineapple. The phenomenon of cockney rhyming slang is thought to date all the way back to the 19 th century, perhaps around the 1840s, and historians are split over whether it was an intentional development, or if it was a natural linguistic evolution. COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG. The terms listed here are well established. it's raining. ", Use: "I just went down the tin tank for some cash but it was Jabba. ", Use: "I got some flowers to surprise me cheese, she loved it. ", Use: "Someone's gone and ripped off my Billies. Cockney is a dialect of British English. Mother of Christ they have been in a lot! Born East London in 1840’s, it was thought to have been used by street sellers and market tradesman. You have more than likely heard of cockney rhyming slang. Acker Bilk (born Bernard Stanley Bilk) was born in 1929 is a master of the clarinet and leader of the Paramount Jazz Band. Wife. A true Cockney is said to have been born within the sounds of Bow Bells, which is the Church of St Mary Le Bow in Cheapside. ", Use: "I've not got enough wonga to get coffee from Lisa. It's a user-generated dictionary with almost all slang contributed by real Cockney speakers. Either way, the fact that it … As a name, 'Cockney Rhyming Slang' is 20th century, as are the majority of examples of CRS terms. I would imagine most people have come across rhyming slang at some time or other, even if only in the movies – and may not even have realised it. Atilla the Hun. ", Use: "I had to pull a jet fighter to catch up with my work. ", Use: "Where's your loo? ", Use: "You should've seen the look on her Ricky when I told her the news. Gin. You can unsubscribe at any time.