Cockney rhyming slang Cockney is the term used to describe a Londoner. Not just any Londoner, but one born in the East End. To be specific, to qualify as a cockney, you must have been born within the sound of the Bow Bells, i.e. within the sound of a specific church's bells. Cockney rhyming slang was invented as a means of communication between cockneys that was almost incoherent to any outsider within earshot. In the past, it could be used to "rip-off" any unsuspecting tourist, as it was widespread in the open air market places and amongst taxi drivers. Many of these words have become more common place within the rest of the UK. For Example I would often say that I was going up the apples. This means going up the stairs (Apples & Pears‌Stairs). Cockneys use a rhyming phrase to substitute a word, and then they drop the last word of the phrase (the one that rhymes!) Now as a simplified exercise, can you understand the narrative below in green?
I plimsoll marked the jam jar at the rear of the rub-a-dub, walked into the jack tar hoping to find John. I ordered a pigs ear with a gold watch chaser. "I would also like an itchy teeth or failing that a stand at ease sandwich" says I. "Sorry" says the barman, "we only have cash left". "OK that will have to do" I replied. "Do you have a jack the ripper on today"? "Sorry" says the barman, "we did have but she had to Scapa Flow". "Will you take a nervous wreck"? I ask. "No" says the barman, "you could be a Queen mum, dot and dash only". "Ok" says I ordering 20 toe rags and a dogs eye as well. I saw Dave at a table, and went over to join him. "have you seen John" I asked. John! Exclaimed Dave, "That little critter was coming off the oxo cube when a bottle and stopper pulled him over for a top hat". John tried to keep a straight boat race and says to the grasshopper "all I am doing is going for a Ruby".
The English translation is below for all who remain mystified.
I plimsoll marked (parked) the jam jar (car) at the rear of the rub-adub (pub) , walked into the jack tar (bar) hoping to find John. I ordered a pigs ear (beer) with a gold watch (scotch) chaser. "I would also like an itchy teeth (beef) or failing that a stand at ease (cheese) sandwich" says I.
"Sorry" says the barman, "we only have cash (sausage and mash) left". "OK that will have to do" I replied. "Do you have a jack the ripper (stripper) on today"? "Sorry" says the barman, "we did have but she had to Scapa Flow" (go).
"Will you take a nervous wreck"? (cheque) I ask. "No" says the barman, "you could be a Queen mum (Bum) , dot and dash (cash) only". "Ok" says I ordering 20 toe rags (fags--cigarettes) and a dogs eye (meat pie) as well. I saw Dave at a table, and went over to join him. "have you seen John" I asked. John! Exclaimed Dave, "That little critter (bullshitter) was coming off the oxo cube (tube) when a bottle and stopper (copper--policeman) pulled him over for a top hat (chat) ". John tried to keep a straight boat race (face) and says to the grasshopper (copper--policeman) "all I am doing is going for a Ruby Murray" (curry) .
Cockney rhyming slang exercises: http: / / w w w.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exerciseenglish-15520.php http: / / w w w.aboutengland.ch/games/hotpotatoes/cockney.htm
Cockney
Proper slang: "Got to my mickey, found me way up the apples, put on me whistle and the bloody dog went. It was me trouble telling me to fetch the teapots." “I got to my house (Mickey mouse), found my way up the stairs (apples and pears), put on my suit (whistle and flute) and the bloody phone (dog and bone) went. It was my wife (trouble and strife) telling me to fetch the kids (teapot lids).” A short dictionary of expressions: http: / / w w w.aldertons.com/english_to_slang.htm
Exercises on Steve Penk’s video: 1. Trying to book a table over the phone; polite answers and questions by the restaurant employee: This is… How can I help you? We don’t have reservation service I’m sorry? (American English) Pardon? Your wife? What’s her name? I don’t believe so Yes, it does, Sir Yes, we do What time are your people coming in? Um, non-smoking I could 2. Using Cockney rhyming slang
We’d like to book a Betty Grable, if that’s possible
Do I need to wear a Peckham Rye? Did the trouble and strife call you to book a table? Do you get many Hillman hunters? In the restaurant do you sell apple fritter ? Book down a table for cock and hen Most of the time my wife is elephant’s trunk A table in the Jack Horner would be lovely, if that’s possible Before we finally book a table, could we come down and have a butcher’s hook? We have problems with my hammer and tack I don’t want to be sitting near George Raft So what are we talking about bees and honey? Bird Lime, what did we say? So do I have to wear a whistle and flute? Are you talking orchestra stalls?
Ok. Here are the words the phrases substitute. Match them: Wife, drunk, back, time, suit, table, bitter (beer), punters (clients/customers), draft, balls, look, ten, money, corner, tie.