The first instalment of British cockney rhyming slang expressions we brought you last spring received a great response, so we thought we’d treat you to 10 more…
Being British myself I can safely agree with most American’s that the “British” are a curious bunch. That’s not to suggest good or bad, just different to America culturally. That is especially true in the realm of speech, be that accent, expressions, or use of slang.
As well as that, the British, or more accurately, Londoners, have a unique dialect called cockney rhyming slang, which dates back to the mid-19th century.
As we told you last year in our article entitled: “The 10 Best British Cockney Rhyming Slang Expressions”:
A real cockney is in fact someone who was born within earshot of the “bow bells” (Mary Le Bow Church) in London and originated in the mid-19th century in the East End of the city.
Nevertheless, as we also noted in that article, many Londoners, and even Brits further afield, use Cockney rhyming slang expressions intermittently in speech, especially in street talk.
Why is it that British people, no matter how intelligent they really are, always seem to sound intelligent to the American ear?
The amount of fun one can have talking about just about anything, straight-faced to American’s in a British accent is uncanny. For some reason the fact that it’s said in that classic accent makes it totally believable.
Having been in that situation a number of times, there is nothing quite like seeing the reaction on a person’s face when you try to explain the concept of cockney rhyming slang expressions.
We would refer you to our previous article at the link above for more information on the specifics, for now we are going to kick off with this year’s 10 classically British cockney rhyming slang expressions:
1. “Barney Rubble” — trouble
To start off the proceedings we chose an increasingly popular expression, basically used to warn of trouble on the horizon and nothing to do with the Flintstones character.
2. “Pen and Ink” — stink
Not a complex one but widely used by British people and not ‘cos they smell! In fact, rhyming slang often covers up nasty words and simply rhymes them with something less innocuous, as in this example.
3. “Rosy Lee” — tea
Most people already know that the British are obsessed with their cups of tea which they enjoy many times daily, with milk. So it stands to reason that they have at least one dedicated rhyming slang word for the amber nectar.
4. “North and South” — mouth
We chose this one because it is so quintessentially British and is a great example of the way in which cockney rhyming slang is used, in this case to refer to a body part as in “shut your north and south mate!”
5. “Sausage and Mash” — cash
On top of the fact that sausage (a type of hot dog) and mash (mashed potatoes) are eaten in Britain a lot, especially in cockney circles, it also means cash and joins a whole host of other slang words for the green stuff.
6. “Whistle and Flute” — suit (of clothes)
This is an example of a more famous and widely used slang expression but other than working in the City of London most cockney’s only wear “whistles” for funerals and weddings.
7. “Taters (short for potatoes) in the mould” — cold
An old school one here and one that is an abbreviation slang. Obviously as it’s usually so cold in London weather-wise that there are a number of phrases used to describe it.
8. “Septic Tank” — yank (an American)
It of course goes without saying that the Brits have somewhat derogatory expressions for Americans, mainly because they are jealous of them. So if the already derogatory term “Yank” isn’t quite offensive enough, they can be referred to simply as “septics”.
9. “Tea Leaf” — thief
Harping back once again to the British obsession with tea it is also used to describe a robber, burglar of thief. The expression has also been shortened in some circles and is used to say “stolen”. As in, did you “Teaf” my wallet.
10. “Pork Pie” — lie
Another favorite on the British cafe menu pork pies are loved and consumed by many a cockney. But it is also used to rhyme with “lie” and is used as in “don’t tell pork pies”. Variations also include “porkies” and “porker”.
So there you have it; all the British cockney rhyming slang expressions you’ll ever need if you encounter a cockney next time you’re visiting London.
Do you think the language could ever take off stateside or is clearly just a “British thing”? Share your comments with us in the feed below.
