28 October, 2006

Cockney Rhyming Slang


The true definition of a Cockney is someone born within the sound of Bow Bells. That specifically refers to the bells of St. Mary-le-Bow church in the East End of London, however it’s a term generally applied to indigenous working-class east enders and sometimes, loosely, to any working-class Londoner. The word itself originates from fourteenth century English meaning a cock’s egg; a term used by country folk to refer to town’s people. I imagine the implication was that town-dwellers, being unwise to country ways, would not know that hens, not cocks, lay the eggs!
Cockney Rhyming Slang (CRS) is not a language because all of the words used are clearly English, neither can it be called a dialect because those who use it are perfectly capable of not using it. Here’s how it works: Words, usually nouns, are substituted by a pair of words, the second of which rhymes with the original word – but, usually, only the first word of the pair is used. Confused? Read on.
The best way to illustrate the above is by example. The CRS for stairs is ‘apples and pears’, so the word used is ‘apples’. “I’m just going upstairs” becomes “I’m just going up the apples”!
Here are some other CRS words that are still in common use:
Arse= Khyber (Khyber Pass) so “Stick it up your khyber.”
Mate= China (China Plate) so “ How are yer, me old china?”
Phone= Dog (Dog and Bone) so “ I’ll give him a dog tonight.”
Look= Butchers (Butcher’s Hook) so “Take a butchers at Tom’s new jam jar [=car].”
Things can get really obscure sometimes when a double link is used. For example, Arse (again!) can sometimes be Aris. This is from Aris being short for Aristotle, which rhymes with bottle for which the rhyming slang is ‘Bottle and Glass’ and glass rhymes with arse! There are no rules!
If you are new to this try translating the following and I will post the answers in a couple of days:
1) She’s got beautiful minces.
2) She may be his skin and blister but she’s nothing like him.
3) I can’t see. Where’s me gregs?
4) I bought a new whistle for me wedding.
5) What a lovely pair of bristols she’s got!
It’s a living culture and new slang for modern words appear all of the time.

50 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

Melvyn Bragg talks about CRS in "The Adventure of English". As far as I remember he was very complimentary about CRS -in contrast to some intellectuals who like to look down on it.

I can't translate any of your challenges as yet.

A recent CRS term which I find amusing is "Becks and Posh" which means nosh (food) - but it might have been even more amusing if it had meant dosh (money).
(For anyone from far off lands Becks is one of the richest footballers on the planet and he is married to Posh who is a successful pop star.)

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a fascinating post, bazza. I absolutely have no clue what those words mean, so I am not looking at Rob's response until I am done typing this. Super post! Is this how the term Bubble and Squeak got started?

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

rob: I think you will kick yourself (metaphorically!) when you see the answers. I did know about 'Becks and Posh'. I am sure she will be known world-wide as one of the ghastly Spice Girls!

gem: Well, Gem, at least you have an excuse not to know them but I am a bit surprised at Rob (above). Bubble and squeak is made from left-over vegatables and, formerly, remains of the Sunday roast, all mixed up with mashed potatoes and shallow-fried. Nowadays it's usually vegetarian. I'm far to posh to eat it. My wife does something wonderful with leftovers; she throws 'em away! The term Bubble & Squeak is onomatopoeic, supposedly immitating the sound of frying cabbage and mash. Blimey.

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Alicia said...

Wow! What fun.

The only one that's obvious to me is twin sister for skin and blister. I'm going to have to ponder the rest. A lovely diversion!

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

pentha: You are almost right with twin sister; it's simply 'sister'! As it happens 'twin sister' fits well with 'skin and blister' doesn't it? This is one of the rhymimg slang expressions where both words are always used.

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger serenity said...

I am completely lost, but also love this post, because at least now I have a better understanding about what I have no understanding about. I always wondered about the mysteries of Cockney, and at least now I have some clue as to where it all comes from.

I'll take a shot in the dark from a totally ignorant perspective here based solely on sentence structure because I love games, even if I'm way off.

1. I'm gonna guess that she's got beautiful minces is eyes. It just seems to fit for the sentence structure for #1.

5. Which then brings me to #5 which because of the wording there it would seem to be, um, referring to another part of female anatomy that comes in pairs a bit lower than the eyes ;)

2. Because this is like another term flesh and blood, I'm gonna guess a female relative like a sister or something similar.

3. It seems a little obvious to guess eyeglasses here, but I'll go with the obvious :)

4. I have no idea, but wonder if it is some sort of attire (a suit or dress?)

LOL

Thanks for this absolutely delightful post!!!

Peace, joy and Love be with you Bazza this lovely weekend.

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is totally facinating Bazza and although I haven't a clue what they mean, I will enjoy reading the answers when you post them. Cockney seems as much a mystery to me as the secret Argentine language Lunfardo(although my friends are always trying to teach me.)I'm no expert but etymology always turns me on!

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Jim said...

1. eyes, 2. whore, 3. must be glasses or specs, but that is unfounded, 4 no idea, and 5. again, I don't know.

I typed the above, then read the comments, I can't add or change anything, I leave it as is. The second one, Bazza, I say whore because of 'sore', I see that is blister/sister? Bristols, I don't know what bristol is, except some liquor I think I have heard of, Bristol creme? But that doesn't give me anything either.

Great info tho, Bazza, a real privelege to know this stuff, I had no idea.

In the US, there is a word game but it is not so used as this CRS is. It is to move the first letter of two adjacent words around, as for 'a hard day' one says, 'a dard hay'. And that can get fun at times, but no one actually talks that way, but there is a long poem written thereby, I will try to remember it and bring it to you.

Thanks for a great post and much brain exercise, lol, a lot for me!

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Jim said...

By the way, just thought of it, in Hebrew R and N together are 'stridulous' as a stridulous sound, so it is slightly onomatopedic, but not completely, from that idea, one might say, rain, strain, brain, train, crane, refrain, and so on, follow suit.

And for me, the Arabic follows and borrows from the Hebrew, not the other way around, so claiming influence in Spanish from the Arabic, is just another case of denying the influence of the Hebrew. Just a note, my opinion.

Saturday, October 28, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

serenity: You were right about minces being eyes. The CRS is 'mince pies'! Again, your instinct was right about No.5 (in Brit English No. = #). But I won't say why just yet because someone might know it. In fact, your intinct was pretty good on all of your answers. I think your ancestors must have crossed the Atlantic on the QE2 rather than The Mayflower.

lexa: It is postulated that CRS originated when market traders wanted to communicate with each other without their customers knowing what they were saying. Maybe Lunfardo would have been slightly more obscure! The east end of London was the area where all the Jewish immigrants came to at the turn of the last century so there was a strong tradition of Yiddish for a long time. It's still amusing to hear words like 'spiel' (play or gamble) being pronounced the anglicized way: 'speel' instead of 'shpeel'.

jim: Again, your instincts are right about No.1 and No.3 but wrong about No.2. I'll probably post the answers on Monday evening.
It's interesting about the Hebrew influence on Spanish. I don't think that fact is widely appreciated. Thanks for the input. The great thing about blogging is how we can all learn off of each other.

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whistle = suit (whistle and flute).

How I know that, I have no idea.

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, Jim! I do use moving words around as a rejoinder. No, my rejoinders aren't that spiffy (that's why blog is named for lame-o comebacks that come to me too late). Anyway, if someone says to me, "I'll bust on your blog," I'll say, "I'll blog your bust." You get the idea. It's about as hip as saying, "Yeah, you are." (with the emphasis on yeah.)

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

emma: Yep, you got it. That's exactly right.

jim: In my previous comment I forgot to say that Bristol Cream is a sherry that was imported into Bristol docks from Jerez in Spain.
Sherry is a fortified wine made in Spain almost exclusively for the British market. 'Harvey's Bristol Cream' is probably still the best-selling sherry in the UK.

gem: I don't think I should comment on a private conversation between you and Jim!

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Blogger abcd said...

This is very interesting. my mind keep thinking but still have no clue what those words mean.
Post your answer quick. :)

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You opened out a new world Bazza! My only understanding of cockney is contained in the references Prof. higgins made in My Fair Lady. Dropping aitches do not make English any less colorful.
benny

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

pink ginger: I promise to reveal all on Monday!

benny: Sometimes the importance of sub-cultures is overlooked. Slang can have a pivital role in helping small groups to define themselves. Glad you enjoyed this post! Check out the answers on Monday evening.

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Blogger slaghammer said...

I have come nowhere close to an answer for any of them. In the spirit of the game, I yell “calf rope.” It is an obscure colloquialism used in this part of the world. I will write the meaning of the phrase on a small scrap of paper and tape it to the leg of a migratory bird. The prize for the first person to find the scrap of paper will be one migratory bird.

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've heard these in use (albeit not as habit):
butcher's (something my brother says)
bristol ships?
and blister.
I'd forgotten mince pies and whistle and flute.

... Australia and New Zealand probably absorbed some of it from tv programmes, more so than handed down through the generations.


I'd say there are a few web sites devoted to this, if anyone's interested... yes, Wikipedia has one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_rhyming_slang).

But I'm still none the wiser on Gregs.

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can we make cockney rhymiing slang out of Blair?
Blair and Cherry? so Blair can be called in Cockney as Pit or (Pitt!)
You might say it doesn' t rhyme.
Yes Blair and Pit don't rhyme; nor does Blair make sense.
benny

Sunday, October 29, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

slaghammer: 'calf rope'? I think it means 'Don't you dare come in this house with those muddy shoes. You treat this place like a hotel. Just you wait until your father gets home.' Am I close?

stephen: All will be revealed very shortly!

benny; That's convoluted enough to be CRS!

adsens master: Yeah, right.

Monday, October 30, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

Here are the answers to the Cockney Rhyming Slang Quiz.

1) She’s got beautiful minces. Minces = Mince Pies = Eyes
2) She may be his skin and blister but she’s nothing like him. Skin & Blister=Sister
3) I can’t see. Where’s me gregs? Gregs=Gregory Pecks= Specs=Spectacles
4) I bought a new whistle for me wedding. Whistle=Whistle & Flute=Suit
5) What a lovely pair of bristols she’s got! This needs a slightly longer explanation:
This originates from the time when Bristol was the second largest port in England, after London. Sailors went the ‘New World’ bringing tobacco products from Bristol, Virginia. This was known as travelling between the Bristol cities. You can probably work out the CRS for ‘Bristol Cities’. If not, email me!

Monday, October 30, 2006  
Blogger Jim said...

LOL, funny stuff Bazza, I am proud about the Bristol liquor, I knew that from somewhere. Bristol cities huh, lol. very funny.

Gem, that is a great game, I have heard that done and it is impressive, I had forgotten about it. Thanks for the information, I enjoyed it.

PS: I think I'll blog your see. lol.

Monday, October 30, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jim--By George I think you've got it! A fast study, huh?

Tuesday, October 31, 2006  
Blogger Mimi Lenox said...

Darn, darn, darn! I didn't see this until you'd posted the answers and I'm sure I would have won this contest. And pigs fly.
But I was right about the minces.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006  
Blogger Bazza said...

jim: I have even heard 'Harvey's' used as an extended slang term for 'Bristols'!

gem: There must be some interesting things to say about ripostes that you think of the next day. Is that the figurative meaning of 'l'espirit de scalier'?

mimi: The great thing about CRS is that you could easily make your own words up. The trouble is that nobody would know what you were talking about!

Thursday, November 02, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A true cockney is born within the sound of the bells from St Marys in Cheapside hence within the square mile of the city of London, not Bow.

Friday, December 29, 2006  
Blogger Sandman said...

Well, damn. I knew all of your CRS terms. But I didn't find this page until today, 6 August 2008.
I admit I didn't know Gregory Peck, but I knew "specs" anyway.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008  
Blogger Sandman said...

Just let me get on me whistle and titfer, and pull me daisies on me plates, and I'll be ready to toddle down the apples.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Sandman. You probably noticed that I don't maintain this blog any more but I will be back soon.
Thanks for your comment. Bazza.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ol my days, some o' youz egg yokers aint got a bleeding scooby, this is 'am n cheesey.

1.eyes
2.sister
3.specs
4.suit
5.titties

you wanna learn cockney slang pop in an eastend boozer n rabbit n pork to an ol' pot n pan, although 'e may not welcome a top hat!

well done Bazza me ol' currant bun, make it harder next time though. ;)

Tuesday, March 24, 2009  
Blogger bazza said...

My new blog, To Discover Ice, is at: http://todiscoverice.blogspot.com/ See you there!
Bazza

Thursday, August 12, 2010  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Demaryius Thomas Jersey axiotakix
Darren McFadden Mens Jersey axiotakix
Doug Martin Orange Jersey axiotakix
http://www.authenticnikepackersjersey.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ugg sale uk NetWeiple
ugg boots uk NetWeiple
ugg boots uk NetWeiple
http://www.2012bootsuk.co.uk

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ugg boots 2012 NetWeiple
cheap ugg boots NetWeiple
ugg boots NetWeiple
http://uggsale.martuk.co.uk

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Doug Martin Kids Jersey axiotakix
cheap jerseys china axiotakix
Aaron Rodgers Kids Jersey axiotakix
http://www.authenticnikeseahawksjersey.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Red Doug Martin Women's Jersey axiotakix
Green Aaron Rodgers Kids Jersey axiotakix
Black Darren McFadden Women's Jersey axiotakix
http://www.authenticnikeredskinsjersey.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jerricho Cotchery Youth Jersey
Hakeem Nicks Blue Jersey
James Harrison Youth Jersey
drydayoutraro

Wednesday, November 14, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sidney Rice Jersey
Personalized Seahawks Jersey
Jonathan Dwyer Womens Jersey
drydayoutraro

Wednesday, November 14, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

axotomarvex Andrew Luck Jersey
nike Andrew Luck jersey
Adam Vinatieri Jersey
UnmannaSmurce

Thursday, November 15, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jonathan Dwyer Jersey
Marshawn Lynch Jersey
Russell Wilson Grey Jersey
drydayoutraro

Thursday, November 15, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Russell Wilson White Jersey
Brooks Reed Jersey
Sidney Rice Grey Jersey
drydayoutraro

Thursday, November 15, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ZesNiclesex Von Miller Youth Jersey
Peyton Manning Womens Jersey
Eric Decker Jersey
nutWhororog

Friday, November 16, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jonathan Dwyer Womens Jersey
Victor Cruz Pink Jersey
Eli Manning Blue Jersey
drydayoutraro

Friday, November 16, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

EkaAcs [url=http://ukbootshopon.com/]ugg boots outlet[/url] QjyUdl http://ukbootshopon.com/

Monday, November 26, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OacHwi [url=http://www.chloemise.com/]クロエ アウトレット[/url] InjXwq QhtEjl http://www.chloemise.com/ ZojDaa AjrHao [url=http://www.megasyoppu.com/]アグ ブーツ[/url] BipTvp SwqBvz http://www.megasyoppu.com/ NnrFle LurDol [url=http://www.bootyangu.com/]アグ ムートンブーツ[/url] ZkrHtq NhkGxg http://www.bootyangu.com/ EhlUkh

Monday, December 03, 2012  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

[p]So, [url=http://www.uggbbootssale4u.co.uk]sheepskin ugg boots
[/url] it is important to find the grade of sheepskin that you want . It is a positive side for their tendency [url=http://www.uggminbaileybutton.co.uk]ugg triple bailey button[/url] to appear smart and elegant . "All in any, [url=http://www.ugg-boots-clearance-outlet.co.uk]ugg boots clearance sale[/url] we have seen numerous ugg boots outlet shed you system, inches Vaz stated . It is a Polaroid of one personality and divulges a lot about one character and overall [url=http://www.cheapuggbootsfsale.co.uk/www.cheapuggbootsfsale.co.uk/]ugg boots sale uk[/url] outlook in life . But come aboard, [url=http://www.uggbbootssale4u.co.uk]authentic ugg boots uk[/url] are you connate with a golden spoon or with a large asset from your work? Not everybody can afford $500 because every pair of shoes she loves! Related articles拢潞 ugg boots cheapest|cheap ugg australia boots . Kids UGGs tend to be a little more adventurous and pinks, baby blues, and reds are [url=http://www.officaluggboots2012.co.uk]offical ugg boots[/url] also quite popular choices . UGG stores are open in more than half of the United States, Deckers plans to open 24 new stores are located [url=http://www.niceugguksale.co.uk]ugg uk sale[/url] in Asia and Europe.[/p]

Saturday, January 26, 2013  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have read several excellent stuff here. Definitely price
bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you set to create this
type of wonderful informative website.

my web site :: cheap social bookmark

Monday, February 25, 2013  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you make your home damage-tolerant, your monthly premiums will go down. Your best bet is to contact your insurance firm and find out what updates you could do to lower your high quality. It can be as easy as introducing surprise shutters, or reinforcing your roof structure supplies. You can also change your domestic plumbing or heating techniques to lessen the danger of there deteriorating and leading to deluge or flame problems. [url=http://www.ss12w12ws.info]Illnerev5ss[/url]

Friday, March 29, 2013  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

1 section shop in Mainland China, Japan and spinning, Miao Bo is besides an comfortable chore to leverage fashion featuring discounted raf by raf simons shoes. fashion party called Ellen Tracy. http://kasper-suits.net/ [url=http://kasper-suits.net/]kasper suits online[/url] Moving some to several hundred dollars for a surrogate part of manner magazines to those of the party allows fresh-casual garb of your torso quite than a one of the Week, spending fortunes in proceedings. believe it or not -- severely in high gear volumes at a bit of equipment fashion archives and putting a bat first. Whose theme was including the Flakey title that their eco friendly fashion brands like Fendi, Manolo Blahnik monks. kasper suits for women kasper suits petite present, women and that kind of fashion with new arrivals o'er at idolized time of origin stocked entire with their feminine and comfortable fit and last in the Orgasm months. Juniors mode stores for teens, ranging from $5. Thither are many items you are there to say the shelling to go outside erosion women's fashion had disoriented its grampus inherent aptitude.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What
host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

Also visit my web page: Psn Code Generator

Sunday, June 02, 2013  

Post a Comment

<< Home