Cockney Rhyming Slang

Cockney Rhyming Slang is something that I find very interesting and has developed into more characteristic vocabulary. The first time I heard this slang was from Only Fools and Horses which was based on a comedy in London. I have no idea at the minute if it is good or not or where it came from but I find it interesting so I shall try and find out.

A cash machine in London using cockney slang. Some examples of what the slang means, Balance on Charlie Sheen - Balance on Screen. Sausage & Mash - Cash.

Example of cockney slang being used in advertising. Dog and Bone - Phone

A quick video to promote healthy eating, translated in subtitles at the bottom of the screen.

Where did Cockney Slang originate from?

Rhyming slang, just part of the Cockney vernacular, is believed to have come to prominence in the early to mid 1800's. It is frequently suggested that it began its life as the tongue of the London street trader, the costermongers, perhaps in an attempt to conceal their often illicit practices from the public or more importantly any illegal activities from the recently established police force, the Peelers. It may well have begun its evolution many years before then. Another area of speculation is how from being such a localised dialect it gained so much prominance; the suggestion here, is that Cockney rhyming slang was adopted by the underworld. It was the necessity of the police to learn this criminal language and by its subsequent publication in law enforcement manuals rhyming slang became widely known.

A few examples

• "Let's have a butchers at that magazine" (butcher's hook = look)
• "You're a berk!" (berkshire hunt = cunt)
• "I haven't heard a dicky bird about it" (dickie bird = word)
• "Use your loaf and think next time" (loaf of bread = head)
• "Did you half-inch that car?" (half-inch = pinch, meaning steal)
• "You will have to speak up, he's a bit mutton" (mutt'n'jeff = deaf)
• "I'm going on my tod" (tod sloan = alone, or own)
• "Are you telling porkies?" (porkies = pork pies = lies)
• "Are you going to rabbit all night?" (rabbit and pork = talk)
• "Scarper lads! The police are coming" (scarpa flow = go)

If the Slang was meant to be for the criminals in London so other people couldn't understand what they were saying I would say that it was a very good concept. However it is not 100% that it did start off from criminals so it could be hard to prove.

To sum up then I think it is a good Concept.

Interesting Vocabulary

How do I prove it is good?

Could look into other Slang used?

Just found this about the language developing into other countries.

Most English speaking countries now employ their own rhyming slang expressions, Australia has been a particularly strong user since the mid 1900's. It should be emphasised that the most recently invented rhyming slang doesn't originate from Cockney's themselves, the name Cockney rhyming slang is now a loose term for the style of slang that uses the rhyming technique. Many true Cockney's have a strong pride in their own special vernacular and their resentment for much of the current batch of rhyming slang will be very evident, especially when it is given the name Cockney rhyming slang.