Something that is truly very London and maybe forgotten about is the art of ‘Cockney Rhyming Slang’. Still used by the diehard black cab drivers and your true Londoner. The origins of the slang is from the East end of London.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘a pony’ which means £25 or ‘a ton’ which means £100?
……..If not then this blog post is certainly one you should read. Allowing you to crack out some belters when you chat to a Londoner to break the ice and have a bit of fun at the same time.
BATTLE-CRUISER (boozer)
As we all know the English in general love a drink. So if someone says ‘You fancy going down the battlecruiser?’ they mean would you like to accompany me down to the pub for a refreshing beverage.
DUSTBIN LID/S (kid/s)
Not the nicest way to refer to your offspring but it certainly has a ring to it. ‘How many dustbin lids does one have?’
BROWN BREAD (dead)
If someone says this they aren’t asking if you want brown bread. They are unfortunately talking about the passing of someone in a light hearted way.
ADAM AND EVE (believe)
Even the first humans on earth aren’t safe from being turned into a bit of slang. ‘Would you Adam and Eve it?’
BEES AND HONEY (money)
I guess a must know one if you need to refer to money in slang and get yourself out of a spot of bother. ‘How much Bees and Honey do I owe yer?’
DOG AND BONE (phone)
‘Pass me the dog and bone’ one of my personal favourites…. The love affair between most humans and their phone is much like that of a dog and their bone.
BALL OF CHALK (walk)
Exploring London – been walking around? Refer to it as ‘A ball of chalk round London’
MINCE PIES (eyes)
On the pull in London, trying to impress a local…. It’s got to be done ‘Oh wow you have the most beautiful mince pies’ – hopefully they get it but if not, it’s a talking point!
PORKY PIE/S (lie/s)
Not something you want to admit too, unless it’s a white lie…. ‘You been telling porky pies about me’ Us English do love pork pies – the edible ones!
BIRDS NEST (chest)
Not sure how you would fit this into conversation but a good one nevertheless.
APPLES AND PEARS (stairs)
If you are using the underground and the lifts are not working or very busy, you might take the ‘apples and pears’ especially in some of the older tube stations.
CAT AND MOUSE (house)
If you are renting an Airbnb in London you should refer to it as the ‘cat and mouse’
HANSEL AND GRETEL (kettle)
After exploring London for a day you are probs going to be parched, so you’ll be looking for a nice refreshing drink. ‘Put on the Hansel and Gretel’
So you now have your Cockney rhyming slang legs – you can have a basic conversation with the most cockney of Londoners and even make up your own. If it rhymes it works, there is none rhyming cockney slang but it’s just not as cool in my opinion.