Rhyming slang

Alan · Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:46 am *Rhyming slang*

Hi,

Ever heard of rhyming slang? You use a phrase or word that rhymes with the word you actually mean. Here's an example:

He's just had a quarrel with his trouble and strife = his wife.

What do you think these mean (answers from non-native speakers only)?

She never said a Dickie bird.

He's always opening his north and south,

He looked lovingly into her mince pies.

She fell down the apples and pears.

Let's have a butcher's (hook).

He bought himself a new whistle (and flute)

Alan
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Molly · Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:21 am *Rhyming slang*

Ralf · Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:25 am *Rhyming slang*

I've not eaten yet, I'm Hank Marvin Smile

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Molly · Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:32 am *Rhyming slang*

A few more, and based on celebs' names:

a Melvyn Bragg
he's got Belinda Carlisles
score a bit of Gianluca Vialli
that's Barry White
a pint of Paul Weller/Winona Ryder
he's well Brad Pitt
she ordered a Basil Fawlty

And slang upon slang:

he was off his Chevy Chase

Molly · Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:36 am *Rhyming slang*

How about we here try to invent rhyming slang for some of the names on this list (the ones which don't already have such attached to them, that is). We could even try creating slang upon existing slang, see below.

http://www.unmistakables.com/

Example:

he's off his Angelina

Anyone want to try with "Jennifer Lopez"? Wink

Skrej · Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:49 am *Rhyming slang*

Heh, I've heard all those before, so I'll let somebody else have a shot.

However, I just don't get the point of Cockney slang? Is it just a deliberate attempt to be misunderstood or an attempt to be unique? Just to keep the non-locals out of the loop? It sure can't be for convenience's sake, and it's curious why such a phenomena would develop. I can understand the desire to maintain a tradition once it's established, but how/why did it develop in the first place?

"Hey, let's create our own isogloss! Yeah, that'll be fun!".

pffft. Rolling Eyes

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daemon99 · Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:40 pm *Rhyming slang*

Alan · Fri Aug 01, 2008 14:58 pm *Rhyming slang*

Hi,

She never said a Dickie bird = a word.

He's always opening his north and south = mouth.

He looked lovingly into her mince pies = eyes.

She fell down the apples and pears = stairs.

Let's have a butcher's (hook) = look.

He bought himself a new whistle (and flute) = suit.
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