Cockney Rhyming Slang
Born in London’s East End in the 1840s among market traders and the underworld — swap a word for a rhyming phrase, then drop the rhyme (“plates of meat” → feet → “plates”). Decoded with its real history, anchored to Hotten (1859) and Mayhew (1851).
335 words
Cockney for neck — 'Gregory Peck' rhymes with neck, clipped to a 'Gregory'.
Rhyming slang for word; 'not a dicky bird' = not a word.
One's local area
Cockney rhyming slang for jewellery.
Cockney for the Flying Squad — 'Sweeney Todd' rhymes with Squad, clipped to 'the Sweeney'.
Mature content — open to view.
Rhyming slang for lies, clipped to 'porkies'.
Rhyming slang for table.
Mate (clipped from 'china plate').
Lodger.
Rhyming slang for boozer (pub), clipped to 'battle'.
Mature content — open to view.
Drunk — 'a bit elephants'.
Mature content — open to view.
Mature content — open to view.
Nonsense, rubbish; also a friendly form of address.
Drinks, especially pints; 'out for a few jars'.
Cockney back-slang for 'woman' — said backwards so the subject didn't catch it.
Ears.
Cockney back-slang for 'girl' — 'girl' reversed and split to make it speakable.
Clipped rhyming slang for teeth (from Hampstead Heath).
Absolutely knackered. Done in.
A classic East End meal of minced-beef pie, mash and liquor.
Cockney for wig — 'syrup of figs' rhymes with wig, clipped to a 'syrup'.
Willing and able to fight
Cockney back-slang for 'tobacco' — 'tobacco' reversed for a quiet smoke or a quiet deal.
A fool (softened from 'Berkshire Hunt').
Sweetheart — 'alright, treacle'.
Arm.
An ear.
Rhyming slang for snout (informer, or nose/cigarette).
Cold (from 'potatoes in the mould').
A pub; or a heavy drinker.
Rhyming slang for gloves, clipped to 'turtles'.
Exclamation of disbelief or surprise
Cockney rhyming slang for believe — 'would you Adam and Eve it?'
Talk — 'rabbit on'.
Cockney rhyming slang for a mistake.
Cockney rhyming slang for a car — 'nice jam jar, mate'.
Very wealthy, rolling in money.