Reading comprehension - Advanced level
Cockney rhyming slang is a unique type of vernacular which many say was first used by Cockneys in the East End of London in order to prevent the police or other strangers understanding their conversations. However, other researchers think that it developed as a simple language game which brought fun into everyday interactions and helped to build a sense of community among the people of the East End. It was invented in London in the 1840s and used on the streets among market traders and costermongers (the local street sellers with handcarts of fruit and vegetables).
So how does it work? Cockney rhyming slang is based on taking a two-word expression which rhymes with the desired word and then using it as a substitute. For example, saying 'apples and pears' instead of 'stairs' or' butcher's hook' instead of 'look'. However, it is then further complicated by missing out the part of the expression which actually rhymes. In this way, 'having a look' becomes simply 'having a butcher's'. However, the rhyming word is not always omitted , so there is sometimes more of a clue to the actual meaning. Very often there is irony or humour in the chosen slang, for example the use of 'trouble and strife' to indicate the wife or 'Fat Boy Slim' to refer to the gym.
Such is the appeal of this humorous secret language that it has now become widely understood in London and all over Britain. This is mainly thanks to classic television comedy programmes set in the East End of London, such as 'Only Fools and Horses' or 'Porridge'. The famous comedy sketch by The Two Ronnies entitled 'Rhyming Slang Sermon' also continues to give great insight into how rhyming slang can be woven into otherwise mundane dialogue! In addition, the long-running BBC soap 'Eastenders' is another colourful source providing examples of the East End vernacular. However, Cockney rhyming slang is not just a fascination of the British - it has also attracted much interest from around the world as other nationalities struggle to comprehend the hidden meanings of the slang expressions.
To whet your appetite for learning Cockney rhyming slang, here are some commonly-used phrases, together with examples of usage.
1. Dog and bone - 'phone': "I heard your boss was trying to speak to you on the dog and bone!"
2. Mince pies - 'eyes': "Look carefully! Use your mince pies!"
3. Bees and honey - 'money': "I've left my bees and honey in the other wallet!"
4. Kick and prance - 'dance': "Are you ready to kick and prance? We are having a party!"
5. Duke of Kent - 'rent': "This house is too expensive. I can't afford the Duke of Kent!"
6. Lady Godiva - 'fiver' (£5 note): "Do you like my hair cut? It only cost me a Lady Godiva!"
7. Loop the loop - 'soup': " A steaming bowl of loop the loop is my favourite winter dish!"
8. Plates of meat - 'feet': "I walked so far! I must rest my plates of meat!"
9. Bricks and mortar - 'daughter': "She looks like him. She must be the bricks and mortar!"
10. Adam and Eve - 'believe': "We've just become millionaires! Would you Adam and Eve it!"
But who are Cockneys and is their language still current? Originally, it was said that a true Cockney was someone who lived within the sound of Bow Bells (the church bells in the tower of St. Mary-le-Bow Church in the area called Cheapside, in London). However, these days the word Cockney is often applied to many other inhabitants living in the South East of England, as long as they have the Cockney accent. Far from being a dead language, Cockney rhyming slang continues to develop and thrive, with many new expressions finding their way into daily speech. However, nowadays almost all the new slang is based on the names of celebrities or famous people. A typical example would be the use of racing driver 'Ayrton Senna' for 'tenner' (a British ten pound note) or 'Pete Tong' for 'wrong'. (Pete Tong is a famous British radio DJ, known as the global ambassador of dance music.) Nevertheless, there is occasional deviation from this as demonstrated by the recent uptake of the phrase 'wind and kite' meaning 'website'. Some expressions have even been taken into more mainstream language in Britain. For example, the phrase to 'use your loaf' (meaning to use your brains) came originally from the Cockney rhyming slang 'loaf of bread' which signified head.
Internet Sources:
Londontopia: Language: Top 100 Cockney Rhyming Slang Words and Phrases. Available from: https://londontopia.net/londonism/fun-london/language-top-100-cockney-rhyming-slang-words-and-phrases {31/05/2018}
Cockney Rhyming Slang: What is Cockney Rhyming Slang? Available from: http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/blog/category/cockney-slang-origins/ {31/05/2018}
Kaplan International: Top Ten 'must know' Cockney Rhyming Slang Phrases. Available from: https://www.kaplaninternational.com/blog/top-ten-must-know-cockney-rhyming-slang-phrases {31/05/2018}
NOW TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Task A - Cockney Rhyming Slang 'translation' exercise
Re-write this paragraph in standard English by replacing the slang underlined:
"Would you Adam 'n Eve it! I'm rubbing my mince pies! We've only gone and won the lottery! This time it's not just a Lady Godiva! I think we should celebrate with a kick and a prance at the rub-a-dub. We'll have a slap-up meal, starting with some loop the loop, and then the trouble 'n strife and the bricks 'n mortar can wear out their plates on the dance floor. I'll get on the dog and book the best venue. It doesn't matter about the Duke of Kent. We've got plenty of bees! . I'll even buy myself a shiny new pair of dinky dos and a smart dicky dirt with a Peckham Rye to match. "
Task B - The Mysteries of Cockney Rhyming Slang explained: Comprehension Questions
1. Is it true that the origins of Cockney rhyming slang lie in the early 19th Century?
2. Explain briefly how Cockney rhyming slang phrases are created.
3. What are used in most new additions to Cockney rhyming slang?
4. Explain why the Cockney rhyming slang phrase meaning incorrect is 'Pete Tong'.
5. When a Cockney refers to his 'plates' what does he mean?
6. Which comedy sketch by The Two Ronnies provides a rich example of Cockney rhyming slang?
The Mysteries of Cockney Rhyming Slang explained: Comprehension Questions and Answers
Answer to Task A
"Would you believe it! I'm rubbing my eyes. We've only gone and won the lottery! This time it's not just a fiver! I think we should celebrate with a dance at the pub. We'll have a slap-up meal, starting with some soup, and then the wife and the daughter can wear out their feet on the dance floor. I'll get on the phone and book the best venue. It doesn't matter about the rent. We've got plenty of money. I'll even buy myself a shiny new pair of shoes and a smart shirt with a tie to match."
Answer to Task B
1. Is it true that the origins of Cockney rhyming slang lie in the early 19th Century?
Yes, it dates from the 1840s.
2. Explain briefly how Cockney rhyming slang phrases are created.
A two-word expression including a rhyming word is substituted for the real word but in speech the rhyme is often omitted.
3. What are used in most new additions to Cockney rhyming slang?
The names of current celebrities or famous people.
4. Explain why the Cockney rhyming slang phrase meaning incorrect is 'Pete Tong'.
Pete Tong creates a rhyme with the word 'wrong', a synonym of incorrect.
5. When a Cockney refers to his 'plates' what does he mean?
'Plates' is short for 'plates of meat' which means 'feet'.
6. Which comedy sketch by The Two Ronnies provides a rich example of Cockney rhyming slang?
The sketch entitled 'Rhyming Slang Sermon'