cockney slang

[swindontony]

I was watching an episode of Only Fools and Horses, I think it was To Hull and back. In it Delboy told Rodney to use his Filbert, at least that is what I think he said. I guess it must be Cockney rhyming slang but for the life of me I can't think of what it may be, can anyone help? Thanks in advance.

[Quizmonster]

A filbert is a hazelnut...so I'd imagine 'use your filbert' means 'use your head'...ie think!

[SaxyJag]

Yeah. Filbert = nut = head.

[swindontony]

Thanks for that answer, that has been driving me mad for that last few days.

[raysparx]

I am a cockney, and Quizmonster is spot on, although it isn't a phrase used very often, it always used to be "use your loaf" Loaf of bread "head"

[Azimov]

So what's a noggin?

[raysparx]

a noggin is a small cup, although some people use it meaning "head" couldn't tell you how they get to that though!!

[Quizmonster]

'Noggin' meaning 'head' originated in the USA during the 19th century, so it has nothing at all to do with Cockney/London slang.

[raysparx]

Glad you come up with that Quizmonster,cos I didn't have a clue,only that we never used the word noggin for head although we did sometimes say use your noddle, again no idea of origin,have you?

[Kingaroo]

Noddle? I've heard noodle, but not noddle.

[raysparx]

Yep kinga in london definitely noddle

[Quizmonster]

The origin of 'noddle' is uncertain, as there appears to be no similar word in any related language. However, it has meant the head since the 1400s.
'Noodle' for 'head' however, has been around only since the early 1900s...probably just as a variant of the much older 'noddle'.

[raysparx]

Thank you Quizmonster, forgot to ask yesterday, why is it in the building trade we use the word "Noggin" when refering to the small piece of wood put in place to strenghten stud partition walls ? would be very gratefull if you could help on this one, thanks in advance.

[Quizmonster]

Ray, a 'nog' has meant a peg or block of wood used for various purposes since the 17th century and the verb 'to nog' has meant to 'secure' - by using such pegs/blocks - for almost as long. The specific meaning "to build with timber-framing and brick" has been around since the early 1800s. The word 'noggin', in the building sense, is really just an abbreviated form of 'nogging'
Apologies, Tony, for hijacking your thread.

[raysparx]

Yes, apologies from me as well tony, it is fascinating how these questions deviate,it is also great to pick up these little snippets of information, Thanks again Quizmonster, I will now ask the lads at tea break and educate them all,I don't know anybody else who knew why we used the word,.

[swindontony]

No need to apologise, its good hearing all these little snippets.

[Azimov]

I also apologise Tony, for I believe it was my "noggin " question that prompted the divergence, however, since you seem to be happy with the way the thread has gone, might I ask again, why "noggin?" lol

The question was half aswered by Ray and QM, who informed us that...
The term "Noggin" (now used to mean "head") originated in the US and came from the word "noggin" which originally meant "a small cup".

How did it come to be used as a reference for the head?

[Quizmonster]

Azimov, my guess is that the Americans based the idea of a noggin being a head on the basis, not so much in its sense of a cup, but rather in its connection with a block of wood. Nut, bean, loaf and no doubt other slang words for 'head', all suggest a solid lump of some material.