Did anyone prank you this year on April Fools’ Day?
My friend woke me up in the morning and said, “I’m so so sorry but I dropped your phone and the screen smashed!” I’d just woken up and I didn’t realise what day it was so I was soooo ‘mum and dad’! Until he started laughing hysterically saying, “Got you, got you!” Needless to say, I didn’t find it very funny!
You may have noticed that I used a strange phrase above – mum and dad. This is cockney rhyming slang – can you guess what it means? It actually means ‘mad’ (I was really mad (angry) with my friend when I thought he’d broken my phone).
What is Cockney Rhyming Slang
Cockney rhyming slang is a coded language that uses an expression which rhymes with a word instead of using the actual word.
For example, ‘Barnet Fair’ means ‘hair’. The expression is often shortened to just one word so it can be really difficult to understand unless you memorise them (for example, you may hear someone say, “Do you like my Barnet? I just got it cut”).
Cockney rhyming slang originated in the East End of London in the 1800’s and it is still used today especially in London and the south of England! Many people say that it was invented by people who wanted to speak in front of the police without being understood!
Popular Cockney Rhyming Slang Phrases + Meanings
Here are some examples of common rhyming slang:
Cockney Rhyming Slang Phrase / Meaning / Example
Adam and Eve = believe
I don’t Adam and Eve it!
Apples and pears = stairs
Can you help me down the apples and pears?
Bacon and eggs = legs
You’ve got lovely bacons.
Bread and honey = money
When’s pay day? I’ve run out of bread.
Butcher’s hook = look
Take a butcher’s at that!
China plate = mate (friend)
See ya later china!
Cream crackered = knackered (really tired)
I’m cream crackered today!
Dog and bone = phone
You’re always on the dog and bone!
Hank Marvin = starving
I’m hank marvin!
Jam jar = car
I need to get my jam jar fixed.
Loaf of bread = head
Come on, use your loaf!
Pete Tong = wrong
Everything’s gone Pete Tong!
Pork pie (or porkie pie) = lie
Stop telling porkies! I need the truth this time.
Whistle and flute = Suit
Are you wearing a new whistle?
Do you think you could have a conversation with a Londoner in cockney rhyming slang? Or have you got a favourite phrase you would like to share? Let me know!
If you would like to learn English abroad, view courses by popular destination:
• English schools in England
• English schools in London
You might also like to view this London travel guide for more recommendations.
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