noun General Slang

Plates

/pleɪts/ · noun · slang

The clipped Cockney form of 'plates of meat' — meaning feet, usually sore ones.

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Definitions

1

Used to describe big or notable feet with a bit of cheek.

“How big are your plates? You'll need a boat for shoes.”
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2

Specifically tired or aching feet that need a rest.

“Sit down and put your plates up, you've earned it.”
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3

Feet, as the shortened form of 'plates of meat'. Dropping the rhyme is the whole point of Cockney slang.

“Shift those plates, you're standing on my foot.”
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Plates In A Sentence

My plates are soaking, walked through every puddle in London.
Get your plates off the sofa, I just cleaned that.
Soaking my plates in hot water, that walk near finished me.

Origin & Usage

The natural short form of 'plates of meat', the older full East End London rhyming term for feet. Clipping to 'plates' is standard Cockney practice — the rhyme is dropped so outsiders lose the thread.

Variants plates of meat
Tags #cockney#rhyming#british#uk#london

People Also Ask

What does plates mean in Cockney?

It means feet. It's the shortened form of 'plates of meat', where 'meat' rhymes with 'feet'.

Why is the rhyming word dropped?

Cockney slang deliberately clips off the rhyme so people who aren't in on it can't decode what you mean.

Is 'plates' rude?

Not at all — it's just an old, informal London word for feet, often used affectionately or to moan about tiredness.

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