Cockney Rhyming Slang
Cockney Rhyming Slang is a specialised form of slang used in the East of London. It is a kind of antilanguage where words are replaced by phrases that rhyme (sound the same): North and south = mouth Adam and Eve = believe Sometimes, the last word is dropped.
Why is Cockney Rhyming Slang called so?
A Cockney is a Londoner; the original definition was someone born near enough to hear the bells of Bow, which meant people in the east of the city. The word Cockney means the egg of a cockerel (male hen) and was meant as an insult, implying dishonesty in business deals by trying to sell non-existent or low quality goods, or so the story goes. The term is now used happily and proudly by the people of the east and north of London, who regard themselves as the 'real' Londoners in a very cosmopolitan city where a lot of the population have come in from other areas of the country or abroad.
As well as having a distinctive pronunciation and many grammatical features, the language of London is most notable for its Rhyming Slang. This consists of using a phrase that rhymes, sounds the same, as the word you want to say, so 'telephone' becomes 'dog and bone'. Unfortunately, many of the phrases then lose the second word, making it very hard for the outsider to guess the original meaning; 'rabbit' for 'talk' comes from the phrase 'rabbit and pork', but few would be able to guess it.
A lot of the original rhyming slang appeared among the market traders in the east end of London in the 19th century, but it is still used and new words and phrases are being invented all the time. At the moment, it is very fashionable to use famous people's names, so the DJ Pete Tong is used meaning 'wrong'- 'thing's have gone Pete Tong'.
Here is The List of Cockney Rhyming Slangs beginning with J.
J Arthur Rank: (UK) J Arthur Rank = wank ('wank' is a British English term for masturbation, which can also mean 'rubbish'.) It is often shortened to 'J Arthur'. 'She came in when I was 'avin' a J Arthur.' J Arthur Rank was a British film producer.
Jabba the Hutt: (UK) Jabba the Hutt = shut Jabba the Hutt is a character in Star Wars.
Jack and Danny: (UK) Jack and Danny = fanny (vagina- in British English, the fanny is the vagina and in American English, it is the bottom)
Jack and Jill: (UK) Jack and Jill = pill (usually for illegal drugs) Jack and Jill are characters in a nursery rhyme
Jack Straw: (UK) Jack Straw = draw (cannabis) Jack Straw was a famous figure in the Peasants' Revolt, and there is a British politician with the same name.
Jack the Ripper: (UK) Jack the Ripper = kipper (smoked herring) Jack the Ripper was a nineteenth century murderer in London.
Jackanory: (UK) Jackanory = story Jackanory was a TV programme for kids.
Jackson Pollocks: (UK) Jackson Pollocks bollocks Jackson Pollocks was an artist.
Jaffa cake: (UK) Jaffa cake = mistake
Jah rule: (UK) Jah rule = school Jah is the name for God in Rastafarianism.
Jam jar: (UK) Jam jar = car
James Blunt: (UK) James Blunt = cunt James Blunt is said to be a singer songwriter.
Jan Leeming: (UK) Jan Leeming = steaming (drunk) Jan Leeming is a British TV presenter.
Jane Fonda: (UK) Jane Fonda = wander (usually as a noun)
Jeff Beck: (UK) Jeff Beck = neck Jeff Beck is a musician.
Jekyll and Hydes: (UK) Jekyll and Hydes = strides (trousers) Often shortened to 'Jekylls'
Jellied eel: (UK) Jellied eel = deal
Jerry Springer: (UK) Jerry Springer = minger (ugly person)Jerry Springer is a TV personality.
Jimi Hendrix: (UK) Jimi Hendrix = appendix
Jiminy Cricket: (UK) Jiminy Cricket = ticketJiminy Cricket was a character in Walt Disney's 'Pinocchio'.
Jimmy Connors: (UK) Jimmy Connors = honours (in the sense of buying a round of drinks in a pub) 'Do the Jimmy Connors and get the beers in.' Jimmy Connors was a famous tennis player.
Jimmy Hill: (UK) Jimmy Hill = pill (usually for illegal drugs) Jimmy Hill is a British sports commentator
Jimmy Nail: (UK) Jimmy Nail = email Jimmy Nail is a British actor.
Jimmy Riddle: (UK) Jimmy Riddle = piddle (urinate) Jimmy Riddle was a country musician.
Joanna: (UK) Joanna = piano
Joe Goss: (UK) Joe Goss = boss Joe Goss was a boxer.
John Major: (UK) John Major = wager (bet, gamble) John Major was a British prime minister.
John McCain: (UK) John McCain = insaneJohn McCain is an American politician.
Johnny Vaughan: (UK) Johnny Vaughan = yawn Johnny Vaughan is a British TV presenter.
Judi Dench: (UK) Judi Dench = stench (bad smell)Judi Dench is an actress.
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