Stairs.
Apples and pears
Example Sentences
"Mind your step on the apples and pears."
"I heard him coming down the apples."
Etymology & History
Cockney rhyming slang for 'stairs'. One of the most famous examples, dating from the 19th century when rhyming slang developed in East London markets and working-class communities. Often shortened to 'apples'. The rhyme pairs everyday items to create coded language.
Word Details
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Region
London/Cockney
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Era
Victorian
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Language
Mild
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Formality
Slang
Categories:
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Anglotopia's Dictionary of British English 2nd Edition
British Slang from A to Zed
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