If you’ve ever heard a Londoner say they’re going up the “apples and pears” or that someone’s telling “porkies,” you’ve encountered one of the most creative and confusing aspects of British English: Cockney rhyming slang.
What Is Cockney Rhyming Slang?
Cockney rhyming slang originated in the East End of London during the mid-19th century. It’s a form of slang where a common word is replaced with a phrase that rhymes with it. The twist? Often, the rhyming word is dropped entirely, leaving outsiders completely baffled.
For example, “stairs” becomes “apples and pears,” which is then shortened to just “apples.” So when a Cockney says “I’m going up the apples,” they mean they’re going upstairs.
The Origins: Why Did It Start?
There are several theories about why Cockney rhyming slang developed:
- Criminal code: Some historians believe it was created by criminals and market traders to speak without police or outsiders understanding
- In-group identity: It served as a way for working-class East Enders to identify each other and maintain community bonds
- Pure creativity: The East End has always been known for its wit and wordplay, and rhyming slang may simply be an expression of that linguistic creativity
Essential Cockney Rhyming Slang You Need to Know
Body Parts
- Barnet (Barnet Fair) = Hair – “Nice barnet, mate!”
- Boat (Boat Race) = Face – “Look at the boat on him”
- Plates (Plates of Meat) = Feet – “Me plates are killing me”
- Mince Pies = Eyes – “Use your mince pies!”
- North and South = Mouth – “Shut your north and south”
Money
- Bread (Bread and Honey) = Money – “I’m short of bread this week”
- Archer = £2,000 (after Jeffrey Archer allegedly gave this sum to a prostitute)
- Monkey = £500
- Pony = £25
- Score = £20
People and Relationships
- Trouble (Trouble and Strife) = Wife – “The trouble’s not happy with me”
- China (China Plate) = Mate – “Alright, me old china?”
- Dustbin Lids = Kids – “Got to pick up the dustbin lids from school”
- Skin and Blister = Sister
Everyday Words
- Dog (Dog and Bone) = Phone – “Give us a bell on the dog”
- Porky Pies = Lies – “He’s telling porkies”
- Butcher’s (Butcher’s Hook) = Look – “Let’s have a butcher’s”
- Ruby (Ruby Murray) = Curry – “Fancy a ruby tonight?”
- Rosie Lee = Tea – “Put the kettle on for a Rosie”
How to Use Cockney Rhyming Slang
The key to sounding authentic is understanding that most phrases are shortened. Here’s how a conversation might go:
“Alright me old china! Haven’t seen your boat in ages. Fancy a Ruby later? I’ll give you a bell on the dog.”
Translation: “Hello my friend! Haven’t seen your face in ages. Fancy a curry later? I’ll give you a call on the phone.”
Modern Cockney Rhyming Slang
Rhyming slang isn’t frozen in time—it continues to evolve. Modern additions include:
- Britney Spears = Beers
- Ayrton Senna = Tenner (£10)
- Barack Obama = Drama
- Calvin Klein = Fine
- Pete Tong = Wrong (“It’s all gone Pete Tong”)
Is Cockney Rhyming Slang Dying Out?
While traditional Cockney culture has changed significantly—with many East End families moving to Essex and beyond—rhyming slang has actually spread beyond its origins. Thanks to British films, TV shows like Only Fools and Horses and EastEnders, and the general British love of wordplay, many rhyming slang terms have entered mainstream British English.
Words like “porkies” (lies), “barnet” (hair), and “having a butcher’s” (having a look) are now used across the country by people who’ve never set foot in Bow or Bethnal Green.
Test Your Knowledge
Can you translate this Cockney sentence?
“I was having a butcher’s at me German when I clocked the trouble coming up the apples. She wasn’t happy—said I’d been telling porkies about where I was last night with me china.”
Answer: “I was having a look at my watch (German band = hand, which tells the time) when I noticed the wife coming up the stairs. She wasn’t happy—said I’d been telling lies about where I was last night with my mate.”
Final Thoughts
Cockney rhyming slang is more than just a linguistic curiosity—it’s a living piece of London’s cultural heritage. Whether you’re planning a trip to London or just want to impress your British mates, learning a bit of rhyming slang is a fun way to connect with one of English’s most creative dialects.
So next time someone asks if you want a Rosie Lee, you’ll know exactly what they mean. Now stop reading and get down the rub-a-dub (pub) with your chinas!
