The hilarious decoding of Cockney rhyming slang

The Flying Squad, a special division of Britain's Metropolitan Police, is known as "The Sweeney" after "Sweeney Todd," a fictional 19th-century serial killer. It was also slang for London's criminal fraternity in the mid-20th century. One of the most popular police dramas on television in the 1970s was 'The Sweeney,' starring John Thaw and Dennis Waterman.

Sources: (Historic UK) (History Things) (A Century of Women)

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"Cream Crackered" -

If you're "cream crackered," that means you're knackered, or tired and worn out.

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"Would you Adam and Eve it?" - "Would you Adam and Eve it!" is Cockney rhyming slang for "Would you believe it?"

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"Frog and toad" -

When you're driving along the "frog and toad," you're actually motoring along the road.

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"Huckleberry Finn" -

If you're asked for your "Huckleberry Finn" when using an ATM, you're being asked for your PIN.

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"Jack Jones" -

When you're on your "Jack Jones," it means that you're on your own.

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"Lady Godiva" -

A "Lady Godiva" refers to a fiver, or a five-pound note, according to Cockney rhyming slang.

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"Loaf of bread" -

When somebody tells you to "use your loaf," they are asking you to use your head (as in "loaf of bread").

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"Mince pies" -

If you're complimented on your "mince pies," somebody is telling you that you have nice eyes.

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"Boat race" -

When a Cockney says you've got a great "boat race," they mean you have an attractive face.

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"Bob Hope" -

If you're asked to pass the "Bob Hope," you're being told to pass the soap. The legendary American comedian was born in London.

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"Apples and pears" -

If you're using the "apples and pears," you're either going up or down the stairs.

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"China plate" -

"China plate" means mate (buddy) in Cockney rhyming slang. However, it's often abbreviated to "me old China," an affectionate term for a really good friend.

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"Ones and twos" -

Steeping out in the "ones and twos" is the same as wearing a pair of shoes.

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"Pen and ink" -

"Pen and ink" refers to a bad stink (noxious smell).

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"Ruby Murray" -

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"Trouble and strife" -

Anybody referring to the "trouble and strife" is talking about the wife.

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"Tea leaf" -

If you accuse somebody of being a "tea leaf," you're effectively calling them a thief.

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"Whistle and flute" -

"Whistle and flute" is rhyming slang for suit. So if someone says "a nice whistle," they are referring to your smart attire.

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"Syrup of fig" -

If they notice, people might point out your "syrup of fig," which means they've figured out you're wearing a wig.

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"Sky rocket" -

Placing something in your "sky rocket" is to put something in your pocket.

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"Pork pie" -

If you're accused of telling "porkies," or "pork pies," you've been caught telling lies.

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"Jam jar" -

"Jam jar" in Cockney rhyming slang means car (a private automobile as opposed to a commercial vehicle).

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"Hampstead Heath" -

Lucky you if you have perfect "Hampsteads," as in "Hampstead Heath." It means you have perfect teeth. Hampstead Heath is a wild park of woodland and meadows in North London.

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"Pigs ears" -

Go into a bar in the East End of London and order two "pigs ears," and you'll be given two big beers (glasses of ale).

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"Butcher's hook" -

If you hear someone say "let's have a butchers," as in "butcher's hook," they are asking to take a look at something.

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"Peckham Rye" -

Your "Peckham Rye" refers to your necktie. Peckham Rye is a district and road name in the Borough of Southwark, London.

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"Brown bread" -

If somebody is "brown bread," they're dead.

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"Sherbet dab" -

When you hail a "sherbet dab," you are in fact ordering a cab.

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"Sweeney Todd" -

Sources: (Historic UK) (History Things) (A Century of Women)

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The hilarious decoding of Cockney rhyming slang

Discover the obscure meanings of this cleverly coded English slang

14/07/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Society

Cockney rhyming slang is a form of English jargon that originated in the East End of London. It was devised in the 19th century by locals, known as Cockneys, who invented a way to communicate through coded speech so that strangers—and especially anybody from the police—would not be able to understand what they were saying. Indeed, it became a separate language, developed as a way of obscuring the meaning of sentences to those oblivious to the slang. Over 150 years later, Cockney rhyming slang in all its elusive and hilarious definitions is still being used, and leaves most people scratching their "loaf of bread." Confused?

Click through for examples of Cockney rhyming slang decoded into everyday English.