Cockney rhyming slang is a form of English slang which originated in the East End of London. Many of its expressions have passed into common language, and the creation of new ones is no longer restricted to Cockneys.
Rhyming slang developed as a way of obscuring the meaning of sentences to those who did not understand the slang, though it remains a matter of speculation whether this was a linguistic accident, or whether it was developed intentionally to assist criminals or to maintain a particular community.
Rhyming slang works by replacing the word to be obscured with the first word of a phrase that rhymes with that word. For instance, "face" would be replaced by "boat", because face rhymes with "boat race". Similarly "feet" becomes "plates" ("plates of meat"), and "money" is "bread" (a very common usage, from "bread and honey"). Sometimes the full phrase is used, for example "Currant Bun" to mean "The Sun" (often referring to the British Tabloid Newspaper of that name). There is no hard and fast rule for this, and you just have to know whether a particular expression is always shortened, never shortened, or can be used either way.
Rhyming slang developed as a way of obscuring the meaning of sentences to those who did not understand the slang, though it remains a matter of speculation whether this was a linguistic accident, or whether it was developed intentionally to assist criminals or to maintain a particular community.
Rhyming slang works by replacing the word to be obscured with the first word of a phrase that rhymes with that word. For instance, "face" would be replaced by "boat", because face rhymes with "boat race". Similarly "feet" becomes "plates" ("plates of meat"), and "money" is "bread" (a very common usage, from "bread and honey"). Sometimes the full phrase is used, for example "Currant Bun" to mean "The Sun" (often referring to the British Tabloid Newspaper of that name). There is no hard and fast rule for this, and you just have to know whether a particular expression is always shortened, never shortened, or can be used either way.
by Santi July 28, 2005
Get the cockney rhyming slang mug.A Ji'ore phrase meaning gang or crew. This phrase is also used to swear on something, like "on my mama" I didn't steal his chips.... but instead, on "cocknem" I just slept outside last night. If you don't know who to swear on, just put it on cocknem and no one will know who you speaking on. For short, just say on cock.
"On cocknem grave I just robbed his brother for $1,000 dollars." "I put that on cocknem that little boi ain't boutta do shit.
by MediumJ1 May 29, 2019
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• Cockney Rhyming Slang
by jeffapotamus October 26, 2009
Get the cockference call mug.A musical icon, lead singer of Britpop band Pulp, who became popular in the 90's for his unique outlook on ordinary British life, his prolific songwriting skills, his trademark deep voice, and his unusual sense of humor. Recently released his first solo single, titled "The Cunts Are Still Running The World".
Jarvis Cocker: "You'll never live like common people. You'll never do what common people do. You'll never fail like common people. You'll never watch your life slide out of you and dance and drink and screw, 'cause there's nothing you can do."
by ModSoulBrother September 4, 2006
Get the Jarvis Cocker mug.Literally, a person born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church in what is now the City of London. However, technically speaking there can be no cockneys born after 1945 since the bells were destroyed by German bombs during WWII.
Today the term has expanded to encompass not only those from East London specifically but from London in general. The latter tends to be attributed by non-Londoners, stemming from their ignorance of the true meaning of the word.
Today the term has expanded to encompass not only those from East London specifically but from London in general. The latter tends to be attributed by non-Londoners, stemming from their ignorance of the true meaning of the word.
by hux May 31, 2003
Get the cockney mug.by Erik and Joel September 25, 2011
Get the The Cocker mug.by poo legs May 31, 2004
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