An A Z of London Cockney Rhyming Slang... And how to speak it

The informal dialect known as 'Cockney Rhyming Slang' originated amongst market traders and petty criminals in London's poverty-stricken East End during the 19th century. Playful, funny- and sometimes rude- it remains an integral aspect of the city's character.
This video will teach you how to speak Cockney Rhyming Slang, with a quick introduction and history followed by 26 examples- one for each letter of the alphabet.
For more London history and trivia, please head over to my website:
robslondon.com/
Cockney inspired mugs and other London merchandise available from my Etsy store; robsonlinedesigns:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/robsonli...
Illustrations in this video by Robert Lordan.
Music: 'Cockney Piano 1' from 'The Restaurant Album', supplied to KZbin by The Orchard Enterprises.
Other sound effects provided by:
Audio Library
Free Sound Stock
Free Sounds Library
Sound Laboratory
N-Beats
Oh! K Soundz
KnowMoreFX
Thanks for watching.

[@fusilierjohn8588]

Man hole cover (Brother) Skin and blister (Sister) Pigs ear (Beer) Plates of meat (Feet) Kettle and hobb (fob watch) Nice vid Rob. Thanks

[@Robslondon]

Cheers John! And yes; all good ones ;-)

[@BANANA-iy4ks]

Aristotle: Although it ryhmes with Bottle is part of a Cockney Train of Rhymes, where you rhyme something with something else to hide your final word. So, Aristotle = Bottle, which is short for 'Bottle and Glass' which rhymes with 'A**e'. Actually, 'Aristotle=A**e', In fact I've heard it said in pubs around the World's End in Chelsea as 'Aristot', which is where we get 'Arris' from. If you hear anyone say 'Arris' then follow the long Cockney Train to get to 'A**'. Which is the intended word. I'll try it here. Arris=Aristot=Aristotle=Bottle=Bottle & Glass=A**e. In case you're wondering, I am a London Cab Driver and yes, I have sat in the Cabman Shelters on cold days, listening to these long-winded explanations. I also remember 'Back-slang' used by the Kentish Travelling Community. This was mixed with Cockney. It was quite a glotal language, using lots of 'g', 'guv','gav','guy',' gercha','gotcha','gis'. we get Gavvers which means Police. It actually means 'Gather up' as old Bill are coming. I believe any Cockney Rhyming slang that uses celebrities like Britany Spears or Danny La Rue isn't real Cockney and imitates it. It's what home-counties people think is Cockney as they don't want to commit to real Cockney in fear of sounding foolish.

[@Robslondon]

Didn't know about Back Slang, that sound very interesting.

[@paulkurilecz4209]

"I believe any Cockney Rhyming slang that uses celebrities like Britany Spears or Danny La Rue isn't real Cockney and imitates it." That would be Mockney. Cheers, Mate, now lets go get a Richard Gere.

[@markshaw270]

Hear a lot of that back slang around the mitcham area. Gavvers and such.

[@markshaw270]

Yes aristotle does indeed mean arse.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

“I’ve got to get some Frank Boff down my Gregory Peck cos I’m Hank Marvin” :) I’m from Stratford originally and the use of celebrity names is kosher…think of ‘Sweeny Todd’ or ‘Ruby Murray’…both of these go back donkey’s :)

[@Tanglangfa]

I’m a native English speaker from the US. I feel like I would need a translator. 😂 Nice vid!

[@Robslondon]

😂Thanks for watching!

[@jakem834]

Was born in London but currently live in Devon. The rhyming slang rolls off the tongue naturally as my dad would always use it and my grandad was a true cockney. The devonians don't know what I'm talking about and often say it's a waste of time and I should just drop it. Its part of my upbringing and culture. Besides, I like the look on their faces when I say things like 'I'm braisic, I've only got a deep sea on me'.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Jake! Cheers and stay well 😉

[@jakem834]

@@Robslondon likewise me old China.

[@perrydebell1352]

Your braisic should be boracic lint (skint), a type of medical dressing.

[@jakkritphanomchit]

5er

[@reynard61]

"The old mother's looking a bit bare." "I beg your pardon!!!" 🤨

[@Robslondon]

;-)

[@michaelwhite8031]

Working that lot out would put me in a 2 and 8 !

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@KiatHuang]

Very nicely put together! Lots of memories come back from my time in 80s London, when you'd hear a lot of these and adopted them, like "brassic" and not realised where it came from.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Kiat, really appreciate that, thanks :-) Stay well sir.

[@KiatHuang]

@@Robslondon would be great if you could share all the money related cockney slang! You covered cockle but how about pony? Are there others? Not rhyming but a drink was common for a fiver back then.

[@Robslondon]

@@KiatHuang Ha ha ;-) I've often known five pounds to be 'a lady'... short for Lady Godiva, i.e fiver!

[@lisacraven2626]

@@Robslondon A pony=£25. A ton=£100. Bag of sand= A Grand. Oh and Vera Lynns= Skins/Rizla. Salmon Trout=Snout(fag/cigarette). Tennis Racket=Jacket. Dicky Dirt=Shirt. Skin'n' Blister=Sister. Trouble and Strife=Wife.Mickey Mouse=House.China Plate=Mate. Ones and Two's=Shoes. Plates of meat=Feet. Scotch Eggs=Legs.Sherbet Dab=Cab. Just thought I would name a few. But I like your video!!!

[@Robslondon]

@@lisacraven2626 Cheers Lisa; all good ones too! Thanks for the kind words and stay well ;-)

[@borleyboo5613]

I still use rhyming slang thanks to my father who was born in West Ham. For example Almond rocks...socks, Barnet.....hair, titfer....... hat, mince pies.....eyes, I suppose.....nose, norf and saaf (north and south) mouth. I read somewhere that the word ‘slang’ is a combination of ‘Secret and LANGuage’. Slang. Very interesting video. Cheers guv! 👍😃

[@Robslondon]

Cheers! 😉

[@basilwatson1]

West ham lad .. born and bred in Stratford 😅

[@christopherlewis6579]

The phrases I like to use which weren’t mentioned in the video is , hugs and kisses (misses), Rockford files (piles), Acker Bilk (milk) Betty Boop (poop) and Barbara Kelly (telly)🤓😃

[@Robslondon]

Yes, they’re good ones! Hard to illustrate though! 😉

[@jakem834]

I've always known 'piles' as your 'Chalfonts' or 'Chalfonts St. Giles'.

[@christopherlewis6579]

@@jakem834 I’ve heard a few different phrases for piles , farmer Giles, Nobby Stiles and Belinda Carlisles so I don’t suppose it matters that much😀

[@wiccanwarrior9]

It's Liza Minelli for telly mate.

[@hellie_el]

that was so well done! and if zombie groan isn’t in common use yet, i predict it will be - it’s just perfect! i’m going to start using it and i don’t even live in the uk.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you hellie el! Let's hope it catches on, ha ha! ;-)

[@iandonachie9549]

Scottish father Essex mother lived in London well close by.... just think of the local dialects I had to learn.... whilst not a true cockney ( bow bells) and maybe a bit to much of the Queens English in my voice through education.... its a language that I've just grown up with.... now I live overseas... and when them locals think its smart to rumble in their jungle.... they are totally at sixes and sevens when I revert to type..... for me hearing another talk in cockney slang... is like a kebab at 3am to a Friday night pisshead..... its a lighthouse ... love the stuff Rob.. makes me miss home as it was 50 years ago.

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Ian, thank you ;-)

[@chrisken8902]

Ah, great intro of the vid mate. What a shiner !!

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Chris ;-) Stay well mate.

[@rogercollins9191]

Watching this delightful video with a pig's ear in one German band and my zombie groan in the other with the currant bun shining down in the Dolly Varden.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Roger! ;-)

[@cijmo]

British born but Canadian raised, we would have fun with dad's rhyming slang. For 'fries' we used "pins & ties" but I think that was just ours. If it wasn't ours, dad made us feel right clever for 'making it up'. The one I heard in the past two years that I loved was Miley Cyrus. (Virus). "Oh I've been in the bed with a bad Miley."

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha, lovely comment! 😊

[@jameslaurencesmith7537]

when i was in the army in germany in1963. i was attatched to the royal fusilers city of london regiment. " all cockneys" coultdnt understand a bloody word ! and me fresh from the rolling hills of derbyshire..

[@Robslondon]

:-D Good comment James, cheers!

[@felicialefay]

Thanks so much for this! I only recently heard of Cockney Rhyming Slang (I’m a Yank from across the pond), and I’m fascinated by it. I also appreciate your two additions to the lexicon. 😉

[@Robslondon]

😄Thank you!

[@yplwfzyui5]

Oh my goodness. This 0:02 was a theme tune for some British sitcom but I can't remember the name

[@Robslondon]

It’s the Thames Television jingle, was used in many programmes 😉

[@yplwfzyui5]

@@Robslondon Thank you so much🙏 Brings back fond memories . Love from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@amyhergest9110]

A lovely video, as usual. Although if you're planning to do another one, maybe you could introduce letters using the Cockney alphabet, i.e., A for 'orses, B for mutton, C for miles, etc.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Amy- and that's a great idea ;-) Cheers and stay well.

[@johnsharp8632]

Rob, I was born and raised in the East End and have only heard about 10 of these terms in general use. I think many of them may have been compiled by non-Cockneys or are very modern. As might be expected, the terms in common use refer to parts of the body. The clean ones would be Barnet (hair), Boat Race (face), Jugs (ears), Plates (feet), Mincers (Eyes), Maulers (hands). I leave it to you to decipher 'Bottle', 'Hampton' , 'Thrupnies' and 'Grumble'. I once worked with a chap who had been born in Hoxton in the early 1900's who introduced me to cockney 'backslang', in which one took the first letter of each word and put it at the end of the word. He gave me a few example sentences and it sounded like gibberish.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks John, yes I know those ones 😉 I have a book from the late 60s and most of the terms are in there. The thing with rhyming slang is that there is no ‘official’ version, so many people each have their own idea of what makes it authentic. I’ve heard people use terms that I’ve never heard before too!

[@johnsharp8632]

@@Robslondon I think the 1960's is where most of the ones I've not heard originated. I hope my comments didn't cause 'new pence'

[@Robslondon]

@@johnsharp8632 You're alright John! ;-)

[@richrcwx1685]

I enjoyed this an your presentation, we all find ways of speaking, it's alive with us. I do find it funny with some of my mates that they use longer phrases than the word. Maybe they think they are clever. 🤔👍

[@Robslondon]

😂 Cheers Rich!

[@adammork7171]

I love the creativity in cockney ryhming slang. Im american but endup listening to a lot of stuff from the UK. Porky Pies & Taking the Michael are my favorite.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Adam :-)

[@blackbob3358]

Adam, any one who says "porky pies" is absolutely "doomed". 1 = pork pie 2= 2 pork pies. ( , yep, lie/s) . you get absolution Adam, but there's filth on these shores ( albion) who utter this tripe, and frankly, " my head is off", when i hear it.

[@jennifergirling6850]

Taking the Micky

[@robfriedrich2822]

13:13 4 candles fork handles

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@vanessap7209]

Thank you! I had fun teaching my American grandchildren the immense library of slangs 😅

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Thank you so much 😄

[@adilaahmetagic5517]

Lovely program I am going now to Uncle Ned 😀💤

[@Robslondon]

:-) Thank you Adila! Stay well.

[@hArtyTruffle]

Thanks Rob ✨👊🏼✨

[@Robslondon]

Cheers 😉

[@hArtyTruffle]

@@Robslondon I live in London and am trying to get motivated to go out. Your videos help towards that goal, so I really mean that thanks 🌻

[@asheland_numismatics]

Cool video. A lot of these I hadn’t heard of.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Glad to help! 😉

[@asheland_numismatics]

@@Robslondon 😄

[@CitiesForTheFuture2030]

I love etymology. Thanks for an excellent short history & explanation of this fascinating new "language". The whole point of a language is effective & efficient communication. What still puzzles me about Cockney Rhyming Slang: are rhymes created spontaneously or are phrases intentionally composed and remain universal thereafter?; how is rhyming slang phrases popularised & standardised across the user base to avoid numerous phrases for the same concept?; is there a dictionary of rhyming slang phrases that is updated regularly as new phrases are created so that these can be understood by all users?; and how widely has the language been adopted as to perhaps result in different dialects now appearing?

[@Robslondon]

I'd say it's always evolving... yet many are staunch traditionalists and refuse to believe so!

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

Thank you. Great how you employed the graphics and History too! I am in ROI 🇮🇪 and I love learning new words and phrases and trying to use Cockney Rhyming Slang with my friends. I notice that here in Ireland we do utilise many of these terms already. For example "I haven't seen him in Donkey's " (Donkey's Ears-Years). My friend's and I always say "I'm Hank Marvin" 😂 and many others phrases. I guess one explanation for the usage here in The Republic is that a lot of Irish people emigrated to London for work in the past and then returned, as is also true to this day. However, I think a more obvious reason perhaps is that we have been influenced by watching TV series and Movies throughout the years that contain a lot of Cockney Rhyming Slang. Nice informative video to watch in the early morning during lock down. I liked your modern ones and would love if you could come up with some more. Maybe ones related to the current Pandemic? Plenty of new phrases have emerged during the Pandemic and it would be interesting to hear some possible Cockney Rhyming Slang relating to this 👍

[@Robslondon]

Hi Fuzzy Freckle, thank you so much your kind words; really enjoyed reading your comment. That's a great point about the Irish community. My Grandfather was from Cork and he did indeed come to London (Kilburn) to work before eventually returning. Like many Irish people, he had a great way with words so it wouldn't surprise me if some London slang was influenced by the Irish too! I love your idea about new words to describe the pandemic... if I can think up enough I might make a short video :-) Thank you so much again, and stay well.

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

@@Robslondon Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my comment. Yes. It's so fascinating to see words and phrases evolving over time and between different Countries and within Countries. Also, the historical insight you gave was engaging. Your Grandad came from Cork❤ (the Real Capital of Ireland and the home of Barry's Tea) best County in Ireland. Although, I may be slightly biased 😂. We wouldn't say a Cup of Rosy here. If a person is from Country Cork it'll be a cup of Barry's! I have also heard people say "would you like a mug of scald" (I have no idea where that originated from but I love it! ). I really enjoyed your video this morning. And if you do a video on some Modern Slang terminology, that would be great too. I also forgot to mention that your utilisation of the Alphabet was a very good idea. Thanks again for your wonderful video and an insight into Cockney Rhyming Slang. Stay safe 🇮🇪

[@Robslondon]

@@fuzzyfreckle1341 You're very welcome; as you can see this channel is still very new so to receive such a lovely and encouraging comment means a great deal to me Fuzzy Freckle. Love the idea of a mug of scald! Have you ever heard someone say 'you must have an asbestos throat'? when they drink a cup of tea too quickly? Thanks again for the kind words and support and stay well.

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

@@Robslondon Yes, I see that the Channel is very new and I felt like commenting as I do appreciate the video so much and the hard work and time it must have taken. I could not have watched it without commenting and I hope others will thank you for your work too. You deserve it. We use some very unusual phrases here and certain parts of Cork have their own lingo. For example: Biore = girl Feen = boy (Northside of Cork City) I think slang terms in general are so interesting. I found your video very informative and educational, as I mentioned previously. I was able to use some phrases while massaging my friends last night!! I have never heard of "asbestos throat", I'll be using that!! 😂 Have you ever heard "I'm going to get the gawks"? As in, to be sick. And some of my friends say "the Chesneys" as in Chesney Hawkes (gawks). A singer from UK in the nineties I think? So, I wonder did this originate from some more modern Cockney Rhyming Slang. I enjoy Urban Slang and I am enjoying learning some Cockney Rhyming Slang, so, I am really glad I came across your video. And as we were chatting about yesterday, here in Ireland we already employ some of those phrases from Cockney Rhyming Slang. I wrote down your A-Z so that I can try out some different phrases. Last night I was texting my friends "I'm wrecked so I need Bo Peep" not sure I utilised it correctly, however, everyone knew what I meant but hadn't heard the phrase previously. The amount of phrases that have emerged during the Pandemic is unbelievable. So, a very rich source of material there. I think many of us are sick and tired of some of those terms and phrases. "The New Normal" is one I am fed up with now. I'm going to have a mug of scald now (Barry's) RobLondon and hope I don't get asbestos throat 😂 Thank you again.

[@Robslondon]

@@fuzzyfreckle1341 :-D Thank you so much, you're a star.

[@jimenezclaudia7609]

Lovely jubbly mate 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thanks! :-D

[@gilltagg3352]

My father was from London and myself born in Oxfordshire. When my father was cross with my Mum or wanted to talk code so she didn’t understand we use to use the rhyming slang. And how did I learn? Every time we walked the dog😂.

[@Robslondon]

😁

[@ObviousSchism]

Just last week I found a film on KZbin that I hadn't seen for 30 years "Tma/Světlo/Tma" (Darkness/Light/Darkness) which is a short animation by Czech director Jan Svankmajer made in 1989. Today this Cockney Rhyming Slang video was recommended to me and at 12:29 I see a clip from that very same film! Would you Adam and Eve it or is KZbin having a bubble?

[@Robslondon]

Oh! That is really weird coincidence! ;-)

[@mjh5437]

I know of Svankmajer..very weird surrealist movies...."Alice" is the best one.

[@himandher3304]

I was having a good laugh watching this, then the trouble and strife showed up and we had a right old Barney

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha ;-)

[@richardsingh5827]

Interesting video, Flash Harry comes to mind

[@Robslondon]

Nice reference ;-)

[@2H80vids]

Interesting 𝒂𝒏𝒅 funny.👍 I'd have to agree with the comments on "𝐾𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑡", much more commonly used to mean "𝑏𝑜𝑔". It's one of my favourite C.R.S. terms and always makes me smirk in a childish kinda way. 😁 'e's got is loaf darn the bleedin' kermit John." is a very expressive way of suggesting to the barman that your mate's pint was Nick Cotton. 😂 Cheers for now,🍻 Dougie.

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@tommcgrath2496]

One of my favourites is the rhyming slang for ears (Zulus) Zulu Spears = Ears Example "I think I need my Zulus syringed"

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@bengonzalez5215]

Ah fink ah need me zulus syringed

[@brianartillery]

I like 'Germans' for hands: 'German bands', as in: "I gotta wash me Germans, mate." Nowadays I guess it could be modernised a bit to 'Kraftwerks' "You're not sitting down to tea with those filthy Kraftwerks, Norman!"

[@thetoycollectorofseville6428]

I could also say "Would you please stop jingle belling at me?"

[@carolarmstrong4304]

Brilliamt

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Carol!

[@robfriedrich2822]

When I'm hungry I open the alligator and when I'm tired I go to Babette and when I want to play music, my digital Cinzano waits for me... I watch the video on my start tone under Andrew Eat

[@Robslondon]

😁

[@dr.leftfield9566]

Believe me a lot of this was used in the home counties as well.

[@jamesupright2363]

Hi ace vid , quick question I have a few friends who refer to the bar as a “ jump “ being Welsh don’t like to ask. Please translate. Cheers jimmy Llandudno 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Robslondon]

Hi Jimmy, many thanks for the kind words. Really sorry but I don’t know what the origin of that term is! Maybe someone else in the comments knows? Cheers and stay well 🍻

[@guitaristssuck8979]

10:45 I wonder if William Patrick Corgan was aware of that!

[@pmajudge]

NICE ONE !!! FROM U.K.(2021).

[@Robslondon]

Thanks!

[@chriswoodford4331]

Learned something here about ‘donkeys ears.’ Always used ‘donkeys’, or ‘donks’, but thought it was because donkeys lived for many years.

[@Robslondon]

That’s really interesting Chris; I always used to say ‘yonks’ to mean a long time; sounds like the term has been corrupted over the years!

[@chriswoodford4331]

@@Robslondon Me too.

[@MrPete1x]

Leave it out! Never heard of some of those being used. Great video which must have taken you yonks, I'm off now, going tats.

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@aldonapolitano5979]

Don't know where this originated or if it qualifies but "half shell" as in "a word in your half shell mate" (half shell being an ear) came up in conversation.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, I know that phrase well Aldo! :-) Stay well.

[@aldonapolitano5979]

@@Robslondon OOPS! I BLEW IT! It's "a word in your shell like, mate". That's what happens when you try to memorize all the dialogue from Life on Mars?.

[@EL-SKiN]

Another alternative for Z. Zorba the Greek = Meek eg The Zorba will inherit the earth.

[@Robslondon]

Good one!

[@valiantredneck]

Didn’t do well. I only got six. However being from southern Alberta and there not being a lot of this particular usage around here.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Thanks for trying 😉 Stay well.

[@musamor75]

Tell me, is there any other language on earth so unique as the English language? Cockney Rhyming Slang is a language of its own. However, as the gentleman here shows us quite clearly, you have to know WHEN and HOW to use each word. Properly used it can be quite hilarious. It also seems that it's renewable! So, it'll never die. Long live. Thanks for sharing.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you musamor75 :-)

[@musamor75]

@@Robslondon Cheers mate 👍 Good old England, eh? Gonna have meself a glass of pig's down the frog and toad! 🍺

[@Robslondon]

@@musamor75 Cheers ;-)

[@thetoycollectorofseville6428]

I do something similar for the f word. Fire truck.

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@nicolas_caged]

Is 'salmon & trout' = snout C.R.S for a smoke? As in 'Got any salmon?'

[@Robslondon]

Not sure about that one Nicolas! ;-) Maybe someone in the comments will know?

[@kristinkellerhardi1203]

This is so bizarre, and I want to learn but it hurts my brain.

[@Robslondon]

😄 Stick with it! And feel free to ask questions!

[@pongnose]

I never realised taters was rhyming slang: I just thought it meant it's so cold you freeze your taters off!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Yea, it’s a strange one 😉

[@pongnose]

@@Robslondon a nice one I've only ever heard old men say is linen for newspaper, as in linen draper

[@Robslondon]

@@pongnose That’s a good one!

[@brianartillery]

Taters in the mould - The mould here meaning soil. In times past, a good way to store potatoes was in a 'potato clamp', where you basically buried your harvested potatoes, surrounded by straw, or sacking, in the cold weather until you needed them. The cold wouldn't get to them and ruin them.

[@davidriley3388]

Never thought about it before, but used 80 % of it all my life without thinking of it!😂😂

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@Lindabean1000]

I would like to know if it is actually true about Sweeney todd the demon barber of fleet street. looking forward to hearing from you soon

[@Robslondon]

Hi Linda, it’s a great question… as far as I know it is only a legend… but who knows, there may be an element of truth to it somewhere 😉

[@williamgreenough8350]

how doese the british language change in liverpool and black pool, and how does the english language change from there to london ?

[@Robslondon]

It changes a huge amount! the accent in the UK can change over the course of just a few miles. The Liverpool accent is very distinct; there should be some videos on KZbin which talk you through it. Thanks and stay well.

[@williamgreenough8350]

@@Robslondon well there you go then, eh, lol four new video content for ya, lol. in canada i have found two accents, the maritimes, and sudbury, ontario. ( very similar, but different as well, but are confused internationally)

[@williamgreenough8350]

ps, dont forget the saxxon and other germanic tribes that settled that land thousands of years ago, too.

[@MrRob2208]

True story how some people have no idea of cockney rhyming slang. A posh fella once asked me how much it would cost for me to do a little job for him, I replied a cockle. In his posh accent he said what's a cockle, I replied a cock and hen, Oh he said a cock and hen 5

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! :-D

[@bradleybrown8428]

I think I'm as posh as they come but come on! Really, it's 10,I wonder why he didn't get that?

[@steveosborne2297]

Yeah I quite like most of these but I think you are pushing it a bit with a few of them . (although I like the idea of zombie) I saw another comment below about back slang as I worked in a butchers in the East End , try to research butchers back slang see how far you get with that !!!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha, cheers Steve! I am hoping to do a video about lesser known London slang at some point 😉 Thanks for watching and stay well.

[@mystified1429]

D lo woc for the D lo gab.

[@robfriedrich2822]

Underground trains couldn't succeed, before the invention of the electric locomotive, but then it took few years and beside the conversion of trams and streetcar, many cities built systems of underground and elevated trains.

[@Robslondon]

Yep!

[@laurencemaddock1118]

While working on the railway we made the nickname, stoat and weasel = diesel

[@Robslondon]

Nice!

[@jakem834]

If you reverse it, 'weasel & stoat' you get coat or what is often said 'nanny goat'

[@CockneyRebel1979]

You ain't "just popping down the Kermit", 'cos that means the "Kermit the frog"- (the bog). The toilet, that is.

[@Robslondon]

Hi Cockney Rebel, yep you're right but I was trying to keep it family friendly ;-) As far as I know it can be used to mean both. If you check out an older article I wrote on my website, www.robslondon.com you'll see I do mention that version of Kermit! Stay well.

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

According to cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk and other videos I have watched it states: Kermit = road / bog However, I'm not a Cockney, I'm a Corkonian! 🇮🇪 I can imagine there must be a lot of crossovers in this slang and yes the meanings then become very different depending on context 😂 I'll be careful with this one!!!

[@Robslondon]

@@fuzzyfreckle1341 It's a minefield! I think the thing to remember is that there's no official guide to the lexicon... ;-)

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

@@Robslondon Yes, I'm seeing it as meaning both in anything I've watched. It's contextual. If someone gets some shopping bags, car keys etc and leaves the house saying "I'm heading down the Kermit, you want anything while I'm there?" I think that wouldn't be confused with going to the bog 😂

[@fuzzyfreckle1341]

@@Robslondon Exactly, and a lot of it is contextual. Plus, a mixture of older and more modern ones. I hope the old ones don't get lost though as I think the history behind them is incredible. Language is constantly evolving.

[@mjh5437]

Pretty certain we`d never heard of the Muppet Show nor Kermit the Frog in England in 1970,don`t think it came over here from the States until a few years later.

[@Robslondon]

Yes, I think it was around 1976 the Muppet Show first aired here. Funnily enough, a lot of it was filmed in London! The first reference I’m aware of referring to ‘The Kermit’ was in Only Fools & Horses; in the 1983 episode ‘May the Force be With You’.

[@icdgyixify]

Recognition at last.

[@mjh5437]

You must be related to Hugh Jarse lol

[@davidlyons3678]

The fraze laugh came from you having a tin bath.

[@Beanie1879]

People in America use "Whip" to mean Car, I wonder if we have our own Americanized version of Cockney

[@Robslondon]

Interesting, thanks Ben

[@allanvincent4450]

You got some 'ARRIS doing this then! - from a kiwi

[@Robslondon]

:-)

[@grahamkillick9127]

It's aristotle = bottle = bottle and glass= arse. That's why your arris is your arse

[@markmiwurdz202]

@Graham Killick. You may already know this. I always thought that the expression "Arris" for your backside came from the name of the lower horizontal wooden beam of a fence, Said beam was known as the "Arris Rail" which rhymes with "tail". So this could be used e.g. "He didn't know his elbow from his Arris" in mixed company. Although the idea of Cockney rhyming slang was so that the men could talk in front of their womenfolk while keeping "a confidence" between themselves. In fact the word "slang" is a portmanteau word for "Secret LANGuage". Stay safe and well.

[@TidoTee]

You left out "plates of meat" feet, "trouble and strife" wife "rasberry tart" fart

[@Robslondon]

Well... there's only one term for each letter of the alphabet here, David so yes, there are 100s not included! ;-)

[@markclayton2845]

I think you're wrong a about dustbins. I've always known it as saucepans.

[@Robslondon]

I’ve heard both used

[@jennifergirling6850]

My dad was a Cockney of old.

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@danfotoman]

what about monty python saying "ashtray's your uncle"?

[@Robslondon]

🙃

[@andrewjohnson388]

Great ..Blimey nock me socks off ..

[@charliechristmas5147]

It is said as such.....I’ll have a large Vera and Phil in a straight Khyber with plenty of Vincent....... Vera Lynn ...Gin Philharmonic...tonic khyber ...Glass Vincent ....ice

[@DexFlett]

Love it. Although I'm not a Londoner, never mind Cockney, I do love to use rhyming slang. Your X and Z were brilliant. I thought about X-Ray Spex for sex, after the 70's punk band. Anyway, I'm off up the apples to wash me Gregory, then get some Bo.

[@Robslondon]

Brilliant comment Dex! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Stay well ;-)

[@The_Bit_Player]

X = xerox = xerox machine = clean. E.g. It could do with a xerox.

[@Robslondon]

Nice one!

[@mrafeht]

Had a giraffe watching this, better go sweeney after me

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! ;-)

[@jakkritphanomchit]

Mobile (phone) : "crocodi'le"

[@Robslondon]

Hmmm.... ;-)

[@jakkritphanomchit]

@@Robslondon croco-dial 😂

[@Robslondon]

@@jakkritphanomchit Ah!

[@jakkritphanomchit]

I remember buying an 1/8 ounce bag of weed: to pick up a henny, or a hens... From Henry VIII

[@Robslondon]

Ah ;-)

[@jackdawkins3039]

You didn’t mention “Berkshire Hunt.”

[@Robslondon]

Well, I’m sure you know why Jack 😉

[@robbiewales3007]

What does govnor mean in Cockney?

[@Robslondon]

Hi Robbie. It means boss, or can simply refer to a person you respect (it’s not rhyming slang though!)

[@robbiewales3007]

@@Robslondon, thank you Rob. I wasn't sure because a person I met who was from London who spoke in a Cockney accent used the term govnor. He also used the term Allan Border which I worked out to be a term for out of order.

[@Robslondon]

@@robbiewales3007 You’re very welcome Robbie! As you heard, Guvnor is a very popular term! Thanks for watching and stay well.

[@BingLi224]

That's complicated cryptography for me as a foreigner

[@francomartini4328]

Call me ignorant but I've always been puzzled by certain terms regarding money. A century is obvious but what's a monkey and what's a pony?

[@Robslondon]

Hi Franco, a 'monkey' is £500.... I've heard it comes from India; in the 19th century a 500 Rupee note had a picture of a monkey on it (although I'd have to check to be sure!) A 'pony' is £25, although I don't know where that term comes from!

[@francomartini4328]

@@Robslondon thanks. I'll remember that the next time I'm binge watching Minder.

[@Robslondon]

@@francomartini4328 Ha ha! Great programme! ;-) Stay well Franco

[@razzle1964]

@@RobslondonLady Godiva, Harry Fenner, Score, Pony, Bullseye, Ton, Monkey, Grand, Archer. (feel free to ask …😉✌️)

[@keleharvey4572]

My jamjar is donald ducked

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@brianartillery]

When I hear some people trying to talk Cockney, and getting it hopelessly wrong, makes me want to stick a boot up their 'aris. I tried to explain that to a bloke in the pub, but he just couldn't fathom how 'Aristotle' had anything to do with the backside. My late father was Welsh, but had lived in the east end of London, and picked up a lot of slang from all over. His conversations with mates, would often contain snippets of Cockney, Yiddish, Welsh, German, Indian, army technical slang, and even the odd bit of Polari. You could listen to him talking on the phone, and not understand a word. He talked to us when at home, mostly in English, with the odd slang word dropped in. It was brilliant. Oh, and 'Hampton' always made me laugh.

[@Robslondon]

:-D

[@user-ov5go7ho5y]

No-one in London speaks CRS in modern times. So these geezers are having a Turkish Bubble Giraffe.

[@Robslondon]

It may not be spoken as much but it deserves to be documented.

[@basilwatson1]

Im born and bred in east london. I do use rhyming slang, not always, but they creep in .. for example bo peep .. as anchild me mum would say " beddie bo byes". As in go to bed .. taters ( but often parky) , borasic, rubber dub , dicky dirk ..vira lynn ( skins) Bristol cities .... I know i use others but .. its natural. When i try and use it ..ie think about it .....sounds awful

[@razzle1964]

‘Gareth Hunt’? ‘Merchant Banker’? ‘Manchester United’?

[@anthonyqueteimporta]

zombie groan!!!!

[@Robslondon]

😉!

[@keleharvey4572]

You need vera lynns to make a doobie

[@purecleanexteriorcleaning2959]

Arris (your arse) is a weird one. Bottle and glass=arse but aristottle means bottle so you fell on your arris.

[@butchknapman3939]

Interesting but languages were never my strong subject at school and this like French and German is a language on its own simplicity is my moto so I will stick with car (one word) rather than (two words) jam jar. Essays were bad enough at school try doing one in rhyming slang ?? never

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@geoffreymartin2764]

My brain tends to add in Strine and not some more trad. 🏳‍🌈

[@Kidraver555]

If you want to learn to drop your aitche's buy some alphabet soup.

[@Robslondon]

😂

[@BillyBullshitter]

I'm sorry. As the inventor of cockney rhyming slang I cannot accept the X and the Z. It's not in the tradition and spirit of the secret code.

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@Anna-ic5wh]

Ofah is south London 🙄

[@Robslondon]

Yes it is.

[@andrewjohnson388]

ITS probably first rap...again we invented it...

[@mrmeathead2107]

The past is another country, they speak a different language there Cockney lingo is dead.

[@Robslondon]

😕

[@iaindcosta]

..as soon as it works , it's obsolete

[@wiccanwarrior9]

Very few people realise that calling some one a berk....is short fot 'Berkshire Hunt' which rhymes with 'cnut'....

[@Robslondon]

Yep… you can probably guess why I didn’t include it here! 😂