Cockney rhyming slang
A bull and cow
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for a row or argument.
Examples
They were shouting and screaming at each other – a real bull and cow.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Mostly in the UK, but occasionally elsewhere too.
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A load of cobblers
Meaning
Nonsense.
Examples
He says he has invented a perpetual motion machine, which is clearly a load of cobblers.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Widely used, especially in the UK. Slang and borderline swearing – not one for your Grandma.
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Apples and pears
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for stairs.
Examples
Time for bed Jimmy – get yourself up the apples and pears.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Barnet Fair
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for hair.
Examples
I’m not sure about that new hairdresser – he cut my barnet much too short.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Blood blister
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sister.
Examples
There were five of us at home – three brothers and two blood blisters.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Blow a raspberry
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for fart.
Examples
Not good timing – we were sitting at the table when Granny said grace and he let go a raspberry.
Where did it originate?
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Boat race
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for face.
Examples
Stupid am I! Look into my boat and say that again!
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Bottle and glass
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for arse.
Examples
He slipped on those wet leaves by the gate. Legs in the air and landed on his bottle.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Brahms and Lizst
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for pissed.
Examples
Two bottles of wine at home and then four pints in the pub – he was totally Brahms by ten-o-clock.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Brass tacks
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for facts.
Examples
I’m telling you brass tacks mate. Florida is bigger than England.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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How the idiom originated
Bricks and mortar
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for daughter.
Examples
The girls got into trouble but her mother and I still love them – they are our bricks and mortars after all.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Brighton Pier
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for queer (i.e. homosexual).
Examples
Quite appropriate that James lives with Julian in Brighton – they are Brighton Pier after all.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Brown bread
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for dead.
Examples
That bird just landed on the live power cable. He’s brown bread for sure.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Cherry ripe
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for pipe.
Examples
Get me twenty cigarettes while you are out would you? – and some tobacco for my cherry ripe.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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China plate
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for mate.
Examples
We’ve been friends since school, haven’t we my old china?
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Cream crackered
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for knackered. – note, when this term was coined, cream crackers were a popular snack in the UK.
Examples
That’s an hour on the exercise bike. I can’t do any more – I’m crackered.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Currant bun
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sun.
Examples
It’s rained every day for ages. I can’t remember the last time I saw the currant bun.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Daisy roots
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for boots.
Examples
I can’t get them on. Either my feet have got bigger or these daisies have shrunk.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Dicky Dirt
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for shirt.
Examples
Jane’s wedding today. I’ll need a newly pressed dickie dirt for that.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Dog and bone
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for telephone.
Examples
I need to talk to Jackie. Get her on the dog and bone for me would you?
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Donkey's years
Meaning
1. Cockney rhyming slang for ears. 2. A very long time.
Examples
1. Prince Charles has a fine pair of donkeys. 2. This is the first school reunion we’ve had since 1982. I haven’t seen some of these people in donkey’s years.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Elephant's trunk
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for drunk.
Examples
He’s been in the bar since we opened six hours ago. It’s fair to assume that he’s totally elephants by now.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Frog and toad
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for road.
Examples
Hurry up and move the car – I can see a traffic warden coming just down the frog and toad.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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George Raft
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for daft.
Examples
That handstand on the window ledge. You could say he was brave or you could say he was George Raft.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Ginger Beer
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for queer.
Examples
Julian is ginger – and I don’t mean that he’s got red hair.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Gregory Peck
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for neck.
Examples
It’s freezing out there. Better get a scarf round your Gregory if you’re going out.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Half inch
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for pinch.
Examples
It’s hopeless – whenever I try to start a DIY job I find that someone has half-inched some of my tools.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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How the idiom originated
Have a Captain Cook
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for look.
Examples
Now madam, have a Captain Cook at these men and point out the one who attacked you.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Hobson's choice
Meaning
1. A choice forced upon someone. 2. Cockney rhyming slang for voice.
Examples
1. There was only one room left in the hotel when we arrived, so we got Hobson’s choice. 2. I’ve had a sore throat for a couple of days – now I’m beginning to lose my hobsons.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century. Derived from the name of the carrier Thomas Hobson.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although mostly amongst the older generation.
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It's all gone Pete Tong
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for gone wrong.
Examples
I thought I could make mayonnaise with butter. When I tried it all went Pete Tong.
Where did it originate?
Britain, alluding to the popular DJ Pete Tong.
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain.
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Jack Palancing
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for dancing.
Examples
Julie wants me to go with her to the ballroom for a night of Jack Palancing.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Jam jar
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for car.
Examples
Check my new Audi. Its the best jam jar I’ve ever owned.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Jimmy Riddle
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for piddle.
Examples
Now kids, this is going to be a long car trip and we don’t want to be stopping every five minutes. Just go and have a Jimmy before we set off.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Khyber pass
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for arse.
Examples
That was really insulting to my mother. When he bends over he’s going to get a good kick up the khyber.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain. Note that the original pronunciation of ‘pass’ would have been ‘parse’, to rhyme with ‘arse’. This reflects the ‘long r’ vocalisation of Cockneys. Current pronunciation depends on where you come from
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Loaf of bread
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for head.
Examples
Betting your wages on the toss of a coin isn’t the best way to get out of debt – use your loaf mate.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Lord Fred
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for bed.
Examples
The hamster escaped and the cat got it – it’s Lord Fred for sure.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Mince pies
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for eyes.
Examples
If that traffic warden comes back let me know – keep your minces open will you?
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Mutt and Jeff
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for deaf.
Examples
You have to shout – he’s almost completely mutton.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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My old Dutch
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for duchess.
Examples
This year will be our silver wedding, the old dutch and me.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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My old china
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for mate.
Examples
We’ve been best pals since schooldays. He’s my best china plate.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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North and south
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for mouth.
Examples
No, it’s true! I heard it straight from her own north and south.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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On your Tod
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for alone.
Examples
The others have all gone out – I’m on my tod.
Where did it originate?
Origin uncertain – possibly related to the US jockey Tod Sloan.
Where is it used?
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Pen and ink
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for stink.
Examples
That drain cover should be an airtight seal but it’s broken. There’s a real pen and ink in here.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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How the idiom originated
Plates of meat
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for feet.
Examples
I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to help with the Christmas post. Ten miles up and down stairs today – my plates are killing me.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Porky pies
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for lies.
Examples
You can’t trust what he tells you – half of his stories are porkies.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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How the idiom originated
Potatoes (or taters) in the mould
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for cold.
Examples
Whoa, it’s the coldest day of the winter so far – really taters.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Rabbit and pork
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for talk.
Examples
He just goes on and on about his hobbies – rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Rosie Lea
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for tea.
Examples
Put the kettle on would you? I’d love a nice cup of rosie lea.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain.
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Ruby Murray
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for curry.
Examples
Every Friday night after work, the lads all pile into the Star of India for a ruby.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Scarper Flow
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for go.
Examples
The police are on there way. With your record they are bound to think the fight was your fault – you’d better scarper before they get here.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Sexton Blake
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for fake.
Examples
That picture was supposed to be by Monet but there was a mobile phone in the background – I knew right away it was a sexton.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Syrup of figs
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for wig.
Examples
That thatch on Donald Trump’s head – it has to be a syrup.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Take a butchers
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for look.
Examples
There’s a triple rainbow over there. If you don’t believe me take a butchers yourself.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain
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How the idiom originated
Tea leaf
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for thief.
Examples
Just be careful to keep your purse safe when you go down to the market – there are plenty of tea leaves ready to steal it.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Titfer tat
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for hat.
Examples
It looks like rain – I think I’ll need a coat and my titfer.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Trouble and strife
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for wife.
Examples
Twenty years we’ve been married now, the trouble and strife and myself.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Two and eight
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for state.
Examples
His clothes were awry and he’d lost one of his shoes – he was in a right two and eight.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Uncle Dick
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sick.
Examples
Sorry, I won’t be into work today. I’ll feeling Uncle Dick.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Use your loaf
Meaning
Think smart.
Examples
Sending money to that Nigerian email scam. Use your loaf, mate – wasn’t it obvious it was a con?
Where did it originate?
Britain, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most commonly in Britain.
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Whistle and flute
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for suit.
Examples
That important interview is coming up next week. I think I ought to get a new whistle.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Would you Adam and Eve it?
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for would you believe it?
Examples
Amazing – he hit double top six times with six darts. Would you Adam and Eve it?
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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