Cockney Rhyming Slang

Cockney rhyming slang at its most simplest uses a conjunction of words, whose last is used to suggest a rhyme, which is its definition. For example one of the most famous yet one that is very rarely used is “apples and pears”, meaning stairs. Usually, the rhyming slang is abbreviated to just the first word, so the above example would become apples.

Here is a list of common examples of Cockney rhyming slang. Some of the phrases are now so integrated in society that their origin may surprise you.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Apples and Pears	Stairs
Army and Navy	Gravy
Bees and Honey	Money
Borrow and Beg	Egg
Bottle and Stopper	Copper
Box of Toys	Noise
Can’t keep still	Treadmill
Clever Mike	Bike
Coals and Coke	Broke
Collar and Cuff	Puff
Crowded Space	Suitcase
Dog and Bone	Telephone
Jack and Jills	Pills
Hank Marvin	Starving
Ruby Murray	Curry	“I’m just nippin’ out for a Ruby”
Bubble Bath	Laugh	“Are you havin’ a bubble.”
Barney Rubble	Trouble	“I’ve just had a Barney with the wife
Barnet Fair	Hair	What’s up with ya Barnet
Butchers Hook	Look	“Let’s have a butchers.”
Raspberry Tart	Fart
China Plate	Mate	“Alright me ol’ china.”
Half-Inch	Pinch
Loaf of Bread	Head	“Use ya loaf”
Porky Pies	Lies	“Stop tellin’ porkies”
Donkeys’ Ears	Years	“It’s been donkeys”
Richard the Third	Turd
Septic Tank	Yank
Duck and Dive	Hide
Mince Pies	Eyes
On the Floor	Poor
Adam and Eve	Believe	“I don’t Adam and Eve it!”
Custard and Jelly	Television
A la Mode	Code
Adrian Mole	Dole
Alligator	Dole
Trouble and Strife	Wife
Dicky Bird	Word	“I haven’t heard a dicky about it!”
Cane and Able	Table
Rabbit and pork	Talk	“Are you going to rabbit on all night?”
Scarpa Flow	Go	“Scarper lads! The police are coming”
Tod Sloan	Alone	“All on your todd”
Mutton ‘n Jeff	Deaf	“You’re going to have to speak up… he’s a bit mutton”
Pen and Ink	Stink
Tea Leaf	Thief
Current Bun	Sun
Whistle and Flute	Suit
Hampstead Heath	Teeth