Cockney Rhyming Slang

Q. What are the origins of Cockney Rhyming Slang
A. Cockney Rhyming Slang evolved in the East End of London. This area, so-called Cockney London, was once defined as being that which was 'within the sound of Bow bells', the bells of the now-demolished church of St Mary Le Bow on Cheapside in the City of London.

�

Rhyming slang, just part of the Cockney vernacular, seems to have come to prominence in the early to mid 19th century. It is frequently suggested that it began its life as the tongue of the London street trader, perhaps in an attempt to conceal their often illicit practices from the public or, more importantly, from the then-recently established police force, the 'peelers' or 'bobbies', named after Sir Robert Peel, the statesman who set up the force. However, its evolution may well have begun many years before then.

�

Q. How does it work
A. Most of us know a few of the standards. One of the most famous is 'apples and pears' meaning 'stairs'. However, it is more common for only the first element to be used. Thus: 'Lillian [Gish]' = fish; 'nanny [goat]' = boat. Some do keep the first element, though. 'Boat race' for 'face' is one such.

�

Q. But it is used well beyond the sound of the bells, isn't it
A. Yes, and has been for a long time. Most Brits know what 'plates [of meat]' are or what it is to be on one's 'tod [sloane]' and will more than likely have called someone a 'berk [-shire hunt]' without realising exactly what we are saying. As London grew into the world's largest metropolis during the 19th century and East Enders moved out to other parts the city and further, throughout the UK and Empire, they took their speech with them. Also, there is speculation among philologists that another reason such a localised dialect gained so much prominence throughout Britain is that it was adopted as the language of the underworld. The police needed to learn this criminal language and by its subsequent publication in law enforcement manuals, Rhyming Slang became widely known.

�

Q. So, its original purpose was a form of� coded speech
A. Yes, and there was a serious side to it, too. It was used during the Second World War to fool the Germans in the shape of coded messages.

�

Q. Does anyone still use it
A. Not much in the East End. Because of the radical changes in the ethnic mix in east London in the last 50 years, younger people of all ethnic backgrounds are much more likely to speak a kind of West Indian-influenced 'Esturine'.

�

Q. Is it likely to make a comeback
A. Not as a real street language, though it's more often seen in magazines and newspapers or heard in TV shows than it ever was and some phrases have entered the language permanently. As a 'joke' language, however, there has been a resurgence in its popularity since the 1980s, with numerous new examples popping up in everyday in speech. The popularity of 'new laddism' and youth culture in general in the 1990's, encouraged by the media as a profitable commodity, has led to a wealth of new Rhyming Slang taking hold throughout Britain. Much of this new breed of will undoubtedly die as quickly as it appeared. Modern Rhyming Slang seems to depend more on the names of the famous. As these celebrities' stars fade, so their slang alter ego will disappear, though perhaps a few will survive as have Mutt'n'Jeff and Jack Jones.

�

Curiously, only in 2001 has the Bible appeared in Rhyming Slang translation. Backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey, who contributed a foreword, the Bible aims to 'take the Bible out of the formal church and back into the street where it originally took place'. Nice one, guv.

�

A few recent examples focusing on contemporary famous names are:

• Ayrton [Senna] = tenner
• Claire Rayners = trainers
• Darren [Gough] = cough
• Damon [Hill] = pill
• David Gower = shower
• Gary [Ablett] = tablet (ecstacy pill)
• Gianluca [Vialli] = charlie (cocaine)
• Jack [Dee] = pee
• Janet [Street-Porter] = quarter (a weight of drugs)
• Tony(s) [Blair] = flairs or hair

But the old ones are the best:

• ruby [murray] = curry
• barnet [fair] = hair
• currant [bun] = sun
• hampstead [heath] = teeth
• deep sea diver = fiver
• mince [pies] = eyes
• china [plate] = mate
• pen and ink = stink
• septic [tank] = yank
• whistle [and flute] = suit

See also the article on dialect and accents
and the one on student lingo

�

For more on Phrases & Sayings click here

�

By Simon Smith

�