Cockney Rhyming Slang In English
Cockney rhyming slang in English is a type of slang which is used mainly and predominantly in the United Kingdom. As far as the word Cockney is concerned, it’s a descriptive word and it is used basically to describe somebody who is from a particular area in London. The purpose of slang words coming from the category of Cockney rhyming slang was a way to make the people confused who were unable to understand the lingo and it made people have conversations privately.
There are many Cockney rhyming slang words which were also developed by those who were market sellers and street traders. But in modern time, it is used more in a fun and interesting way to use the English language as compared to the traditional words and English Phrases. It is important to understand that Cockney rhyming slang are basically used in informal English and they are meant for only informal conversations. Cockney words are used in such a way which rhyme with the original meaning of the words. For example, the meaning of apples and pears is stairs and the word and the meaning are in rhyme with each other. There can be some humorous references to the cockney words and examples of these humorous words include fat boy slim which means gym. These words just add humor to the language and this should only be used in an informal situation without making the situation serious for anybody to misunderstand.
Let’s know some of the interesting examples of Cockney slang words given as follows:
- Adam and Eve: To believe
- Bag of fruit: Suit
- Baker’s dozen: Cousin
- Scotch eggs: Legs
- Plates of meat: Feet
- Brown bread: Dead
- Brahms and Liszt: Pissed (Drunk)
- Cock and hen: Ten
- Bob Hope: Soap
- Barnet fair: Hair
- Boat race: Face
- Aunt Joannah: Piano
- Currant Bun: Sun
- Darby and Joan: Moan
- Cream crackered: Tired, exhausted
- Daisy roots: Boots
- Hampstead Heath: Teeth
- China plate: Mate or friend
- Mince pies: Eyes
- North and South: Mouth
- Loaf of bread: Head
- Bread and honey: Money
- Dicky dirt: Shirt
- Farmer Giles: Piles (a disease)
- Duke of Kent: Rent
- Dog and bone: Phone
- Jam tart: Heart
- Half inch: Pinch which means to steal
- Frog and toad: Road
- Pen and ink: Stink
- Skin and blister: Sister
- Porky pie: Lie
- Rabbit and pork: To talk
- Mickey bliss: pits
- Whistle and flute: Suit
- Treacle tart: Sweetheart
- Tit for tat: Hat
- Tea leaf: Thief
Cockney rhyming slang basically came from the capital of England which is London but it has gradually started spreading to other countries and it is now being used by many people. Cockney rhyming slang has been used in some of the movies of Hollywood as well. Therefore, it is also important for you to get the lowdown on the cockney slang words and you’ll be able to add valuable knowledge to your English language.
Also Read- Read aloud tips and tricks in PTE Academic
I’m Mohammad Zahid Hussain, a Content Writer, Spoken English, IELTS and PTE Trainer. I’m also a Professional English-Hindi and Hindi-English Translator, Editor and Proofreader. I’m a graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia University, and I’m here to share my articles on a wide range of topics to help you enhance your insights into various things to provide you with factual information and creative analysis.
