Question for UK people RE: Cockney language?

Question

Hi, I am American. I've asked a few questions on Y!A UK and on one of my threads regarding movies, a few people mentioned the Lindon Cockney Rhyming Language. I have never heard of this so I was wondering if someone could explain and give an example. You might need to translate because Yank that I am, I'm not familiar with the British lingo(s). Thank You, I enjoy learning about your culture.

oops! I meant London...sorry, I am a poor typist.

Answer 1

I'm not a Londoner but one of the many traits of Cockney Ryming Slang is that they use the first word rather than the full rhyme eg

I'm just going up/down the frog (frog & toad = road)
He's a bit ginger (ginger beer = queer)
give me the bees (bees & honey = money)
let's have a butchers (butchers hook = look)
Cor blimey!! my plates are killing me (plates of meat = feet)

and so on....you're confused aren't you...? :)

Answer 2

Its said to originate from war time when Cockneys started to speak in a secret code type way to confuse the enemy. To be a true cockney you are suppossed to be born within the sound of the bow bells. Much of the rhyming slang that is spoken now is spoken by the Eastenders (people from the east end of London). There are so many examples I wouldn't know where to start but look at some of the links people have given for idea's xxxxx

Answer 3

Cockney rhyming language was mainly centred around east end of London. Basically a different word or phrase that sounds like or means the same.
Apple and Pears = Stairs is the most common.
Many many more which if anyone from east end on here at moment will surely list.

Answer 4

i totally agree, if your white people are too scared to hire you incase they're seen as racist towards blacks or migrants. everything is so dependent on the colour of your skin and it's not fair, it has nothing ot do with the colour of skin if your good at something then you should be able to do it. i love this article, as a cockney i find it funny, it's like clawing back some of the PC that's creating a barrier between races.

Answer 5

Hi, firstly it's nice to see someone from another country interested in "our" language!

There is a webiste which is very useful in describing the slang itself and gives examples:

http://www.phespirit.info/cockney/

Its weird, cockney slang is something that seems very "retro", characters in 50's and 60's films always use it, but it is constantly evolving. For example there is a radio DJ here in the Uk called Pete Tong, his name is now used in the place of "wrong". (It's all gone a bit Pete Tong) We should be proud of it!

Answer 6

Apples and Pears = stairs
Trouble and strife = wife

And many more in that ilk.

By the way, it's not Lindon, it's London.... and it's Cockney rhyming SLANG

Answer 7

I do not live in the London area but I am pleased that you are getting a good response maybe from the Londoner's, but my thanks are from the North as in Manchester, where people are more friendly and give you a proper meal and we have our own sayings but I will leave you to contend with London.

Answer 8

Most famous ones:
Apples and pears ; Stairs
Trouble and strife; Wife

Have a "butchers" (butchers hook = look) here

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

Answer 9

I think he knows it's London, it's just a spelling mistake people.

Answer 10

Try http://www.phespirit.info/cockney/alphabet.htm for the alphabet and http://www.phespirit.info/cockney/slang_to_english.htm for rhyming slang.