Cockney Slang

     Marco and I live in the east end of London.  It may not be as posh as the west side of town but I actually prefer it.  There is a lot of history and character here.  We have become friends with some true east enders and they have been teaching me cockney.  Cockney rhymes are phrases for words.  It is a way of talking to another east ender so a non-east ender won't know what you are saying.  The last word in the phrase will rhyme with the word you are replacing but, the phrase can be cut short by just using the first word.

     A very common phrase or rhyme is Adam & Eve = Believe.  Someone might say, "I can't Adam (& Eve) it!" = I can't believe it!  Another common one is Apple & Pears = stairs.  I learnt a new one yesterday that I like.... Don't forget your titfer = tit for tat = hat.  They are a lot of fun and it really is like learning a new language.

    Here are some more cockney rhymes:

• Trouble & Strife = wife (Marco likes this one for some reason)
• Tap & Water = daughter
• Current Bun = son
• Skin & Blister = sister
• Dog & Bone = phone
• Brown Bread = dead
• Giraffe = laugh
• Frog & Toad = road
• China Plate = mate (and they really do call each other mate or govner)
• Bees & Honey = money
• Scotch Pegs = legs
• Boat Race = face
• Plates of Meat = feet
• Fireman Hose = nose
• Minc Pies = eyes
• Bonnet Fair = hair
• Hampsted Heaths = teeth
• Vera Lynn = chin
• Dicky Dirt = shirt
• Daisy Roots = boots
• Kettle = watch (or clock)
• Pigs Ear = beer
• Rub-a-Dub = pub

     And the list goes on...  Hope you have enjoyed!