What is Cockney Rhyming Slang?Cockney Rhyming slang is a coded language invented in the nineteenth century by Cockneys so they could speak in front of the police without being understood. It uses a phrase that rhymes with a word, instead of the word itself – thus ‘stairs’ becomes ‘apples and pears’, ‘phone’ becomes ‘dog and bone' and ‘word’ becomes ‘dicky bird’. It can become confusing when sometimes the rhyming part of the word is dropped: thus ‘daisies’ are ‘boots’ (from ‘daisy roots’).

What or who is a Cockney?A Cockney traditionally is a person born within hearing distance of the sound of Bow bells, meaning within the sound of the bells of the Church of St Mary Le Bow in Cheapside, London, EC2 and refers to an East London accent, however to most people living outside London the term Cockney means a Londoner.

History of Cockny Rhyming Slang by Tony Scott. a Londoner now living in the US.

The cockney language can be traced back to the early part of the 19th Century, when Sir Robert Peel formed the first Police force stationed at Bow Street, London. They were known as the Bow Street Runners, Peelers and even Bobbies (Robert - Bob). This was in 1824, and the slang, as mentioned above, was to hide the true meaning of discussions from both the Police and the nonces (informers for the Police).

Cockney Meaning Example

Adam and Eve Believe I don't Adam and Eve it!

Apples and Pears Stairs Get yer Bacons up the Apples and Pears.

Army and Navy Gravy Pass the Army and Navy.

Artful Dodger Lodger I've got an Artful to help pay the rent.

Bacon and Eggs Legs You have got a lovely set of Bacons.

Barnet Fair Hair I have just got my Barnet chopped.

Brass bands Hands I shook him by the Brass.

Bread and Honey Money I wish I had loads of Bread.

Butcher's Hook Look Take a Butcher's at that!

Christian Slater Later See ya Slater.

Cream Crackered Knackered (tired/broken) I'm Cream Crackered!

Currant Bun Sun The Currant Bun's hot today.

Danny Marr Car I'll give you a lift in the Danny.

Dicky Bird Word He hasn't said a Dicky bird in hours.

Dog and Bone Phone She's always on the Dog.

Donkey's Ears Years Ain't seen you in Donkeys.

Ham'n'cheesy Easy Ham'n'cheesy does it.

Jam Jar Car Me Jam Jar's Cream Crackered.

Jimmy Riddle Piddle (urinate) I really need to go for a Jimmy.

Lemon Squeezy Easy It was Lemon, mate.

Loaf of Bread Head He rarely using his loaf of bread.

Pete Tong Wrong Everything?s gone Pete Tong.

Plate of Meat Street I was walking down the Plate...

Plates of Meat Feet I've been on me Plates all day.

Pork Pies (Porkie Pies) Lies He's always telling Porkies.

Rabbit & Pork Talk She Rabbits on a bit.Let's Rabbit and Pork.

Richard the Third Turd That bloke's a complete Richard.

Sweeney Todd Flying Squad (Police) Here come the Sweeney.

Syrup of Figs Wig Check out the Syrup on 'is head.

Tea Leaf Thief Watch it, he's a bloody Tea Leaf.

Weasel & Stoat Coat Pull on yer Weasel.

Whistle and Flute Suit I just got a new Whistle.

What are the differences between British English and American English?

There are many English words which are different to American words. For example:

A lorry is a truck. A lift is an elevator. A fortnight is two weeks. A chemist is a person who works in a drugstore. A dual carriageway is a divided highway.

Lisa and Sofia Efthymiou, an American mum and daughter, have listed below a few of the differences between British and American words.

 British and American Vocabulary

 What shall we wear?  Parts of a Car

 At School  In and around the House

 On the Road  People

 Buildings / Shops  Sport

 Let's Eat!  Other Words

British and American Spellings Test Yourself

 

What shall we wear?

 British English  American English

 Trousers Pants

 Pants / Underwear / Knickers Underwear / panties

 Jumper / Pullover / Sweater /Jersey

 Sweater

Pinafore Dress Jumper

 Vest  Undershirt

 Waistcoat  Vest

 Wellington Boots / Wellies  Galoshes

 Mac (slang for Macintosh)  Rain Coat

 Plimsolls  Gym Shoes

 Trainers / Plimsolls / Pumps  Sneakers

 Braces  Suspenders

 Dressing Gown  Robe

 Nappy  Diaper

 Pinny / Apron  Apron

 Polo Neck  Turtle Neck

Dressing Gown Bath Robe

 Swimming costume / Cozzy  Bathing Suit

In England, we would be embarrassed if people saw our pants. why?

Back to the Top

 At School

 British English  American English

 Friend / Mate Friend

 Glue  Gum

 Rubber  Eraser

 Maths  Math

 Public School  Private School

 State School  Public School

 Holiday  Vacation

 School dinner  Hot Lunch

Staff Room Teachers Lounge

Plimsolls Gym Shoes

"mucking around" / Off Task Off Task

Play Time / Break Time Recess

Open Day / Open Evening Open House

Marking Scheme Grading Scheme

Drawing pins pushpins or thumbtacks

"Stop mucking around and get on with your work," shouted the teacher to two students who were off task.

Back to the Top

 On the Road

 British English  American English

Sleeping Policeman Speed bump

 Car park  Parking Lot

 Car Journey  Road Trip

 Zebra Crossing / Pedestrian Crossing

 Cross Walk

 Lollipop Man or Lady  Crossing Guard

 Motorway  Freeway

 Traffic Jam / Tailback  Traffic Jam

 Lorry  Truck

 Articulated Lorry  Tractor Trailer /  Trailer Truck

 Petrol  Gas / Gasoline

 Pavement  Sidewalk

 Petrol Station  Gas Station

 Skip  Dumpster

 Diversion  Detour

 Fire Engine Fire Truck

Phone Box  Telephone Booth

In England, we drive slowly over sleeping policemen.

Are we afraid of waking them up?

Back to the Top

 Buildings / Shops

 British English  American English

 Semi-Detached House Duplex

 Flat  Apartment

 Terrace  Town House

 Chemist  Drug Store / Druggist

Cafe / Caffs (not 24 hrs) Diner

 Bungalow  House (one story) Ranch House

Back to the Top

 Let's Eat! Are you Peckish? (Are you Hungry?)

 British English  American English

 Biscuit / Bickie(A cookie is a large biscuit)

Cookie

Scone Biscuit

 Fairy Cake  Cup Cake

Courgette Zucchini

 Sweets  Candy

 Sausage / Banger  Sausage

 Crisps Potato Chips

 Chips(French Fries in McDonald's)

 French Fries

 Starter  Appetizer

 Puddings / Afters / Dessert / Sweets

 Dessert

 Jacket Potato / Baked Potato  Baked Potato

 Jam  Jelly

 Jelly  Jello

 Aubergine  Eggplant

 Sandwich / Butty / Sarny  Sandwich

 Ice lolly  Popsicle

 Bill (at restaurant)  check

 Grill  Broil

 Food / Grub / Nosh  Food

 Rasher  A slice of bacon

Eggy bread (fried) French Toast

 Runner beans  Green beans

 Soldiers (We dip soldiers in our soft boiled eggs)

Finger sized slices of toast.

 Take-away  Take out

Scotch Pancakes Flapjacks

Flapjacks in England are oats mixed with honey and/or golden syrup and baked then cut into slices. sometimes raisons are added to the mixture.

What's for afters? Have you had your pudding yet?

Are you feeling peckish (hungry)?

That food looks very scrummy (delicious)

Find out more:

about the food we eat in England about British Slang words

Back to the Top

 Parts of a Car

 British English  American English

 Bonnet Hood

 Windscreen  Windshield

 Boot  Trunk

 Reversing lights  Back-up lights

Exhaust pipe Tail pipe

 Wing / Mudguard  Fender

Back to the Top

 In and around the House

 British English  American English

 The Toilet / Loo / The John / Bog / WC / Visiting the little boys (little girl's room).

Bathroom / Restroom

Bathroom - the room where the bath is. If you asked us for the bathroom we will think you want to have a bath!

 Tap  Faucet

 Garden  Backyard / Yard

Wardrobe  Closet

 Bin / Dust Bin  Trash Can

 Telephone / Blower / Phone  Telephone

 Television / Box / Telly/ TV  TV / Television

 Cooker  Range or Stove

 Couch / Sofa / Settee  Sofa

 Hand Basin / Sink  Sink

 Run the bath  Fill the tub

I watch the telly whilst lying on the settee.

Whilst is used in British English. It is another word for while

 People

 British English  American English

 Girl / Lass Girl

 Boy / Lad  Boy

 Man / Bloke / Gentleman / Guy / Chap

 Man / Guy

 Lady / Woman  Lady

 Policeman / Bobby / Copper  Policeman / Cop

 Postman  Mailman

 Dustman  Garbage Man

 Friend / Pal / Chum / Mate / Buddy

 Friend / Buddy

 Cashier  Teller

 Lollypop Man  Crossing Guard

Nutter Crazy Person

 Mum  Mom

Sport

 British English  American English

 Football Soccer

 Rounders  Baseball

 Bat (table tennis)  Paddle (ping pong)

 Other Words

 British English  American English

 Plaster Band-Aid

 Autumn  Fall

 Bank Holiday  National Holiday

 Lift  Elevator

 Queue  Stand in a Line

 Quid (slang for pound)  Bucks

 Surgery  Doctor's office

 Trodden on  Stepped on

 I'm knackered  I'm Beat

Kip sleep

Nick steal

Wireless / Radio Radio

Starkers Naked

 Come round  Come over

 Off you go  Go ahead

 It's gone off  It's spoiled

 Lady bird  Lady bug

 Spellings

 British English  American English

colour color

humour humor

favourite favorite

theatre theater

kilometre kilometer

mum mom

cosy cozy

realise realize

dialogue dialog

traveller traveler

cheque check

jewellery jewelry

tyre tire

British words vs. American wordsWrite the common American word instead of the British English word:

She bought a tin of beer - She bought a of beer.

He bought some sweets. He bought some .

She took her clothes from the wardrobe. She took her clothes from the .

She ate a biscuit. She ate a .

They bought a pack of cards. They bought a of cards.

The baby needed a new nappy. The baby needed a new .

A pencil and a rubber are necessary tools. A pencil and an are necessary tools.

Fill up the tank with petrol. Fill up the tank with .

It was all rubbish. It was all .

What class are you in? What are you in?

The postman delivered a parcel. The delivered a .

The tube is an effective transport. The is an effective transport.

They had three weeks holiday. They had three weeks .

The car drove in the round-about. The car drove in the circle.

They approached a crossroads. They approached an .

British vocabulary vs. American vocabularyWrite the most common American words in the gaps:

In our building we have a caretaker to see to that things are ok. In our building we have a to see to that things are ok.

Give me that bottle of paraffin for the lamp. Give me that bottle of for the lamp.

On the top of the roof we have an aerial for our television set. On the top of the roof we have an for our television set.

In October it is autumn. In october it is .

Bank notes are easier to carry than coins. are easier to carry than coins.

I was in the Tivoli - I tried several tours in the big dipper. I was in the Tivoli - I tried several tours in the .

Give me another sweet thing - one of those biscuits. Give me another sweet thing - one of those .

I will have to get a new pair of shoelaces - as I broke them this morning. I will have to get a new pair of - as I broke them this morning.

The trousers were too big - so I had to wear braces. The were too big - so I had to wear .

Between two lessons you often have a break. Between two lessons you often have a .

British spelling vs. American spellingThe following words are spelled in British English - write the American spelling:

The American spelling of tonight can be .

The American spelling of colour is .

The American spelling of grey is .

The American spelling of cheque is .

The American spelling of metre is .

The American spelling of theatre is .

The American spelling of programme is .

The American spelling of defence is .

The American spelling of licence is .

The American spelling of centre is .

The American word for - and spelling of aeroplane is .

The American spelling of neighbour is 

British Sayings and Proverbs

Every cloud has a silver lining.There's always something good in bad times.

A stitch in time saves nine.Act early and you can save a lot of time.

Nothing ventured nothing gained.You have to try or you won't get anything.

Out of the frying pan into the fire.From one problem to another.

One man's meat is another man's poison.People often don't like the same things.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.Don't question good luck.

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.You can give a person a chance, but you can't make him or her take it.

The grass is always greener on the other side.You always think that other people's lives are better than yours.

The best things in life are free. We don't have to pay for the things that are really valuable, like love, friendship, good health etc.

Don't cross your bridges before you come to them. Don't worry about problems before they arrive.

It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. There is a limit to everything. We can load the camel with lots of straw, but finally it will be too much and the camel's back will break. And it is only a single straw that breaks its back - the last straw.

This can be applied to many things in life. People often say "That's the last straw!" when they will not accept any more of something.

Where there's a will there's a way. If we have the determination to do something, we can always find the path or method to do it.

Marry in haste, and repent at leisure. If we get married quickly, without thinking carefully, we may be sorry later. And we will have plenty of time to be sorry.

The best advice is found on the pillow. If we have a problem, we may find the answer after a good night's sleep.

People also often say: "I'll sleep on it."

You can't tell a book by its cover. We need to read a book to know if it's good or bad. We cannot know what it's like just by looking at the front or back cover. This proverb is applied to everything, not only books.

Bad news travels fast. " Bad news" means news about "bad" things like accidents, death, illness etc. People tend to tell this type of news quickly. But "good news" (passing an exam, winning some money, getting a job etc) travels more slowly.

Birds of a feather flock together. " Birds of a feather" means "birds of the same type". The whole proverb means that people of the same type or sort stay together. They don't mix with people of another type

Live and let live. This proverb suggest that we should not interfere in other people's business. We should live our own lives and let others live their lives.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Many women have won a man's love by cooking delicious meals for him. They fed his stomach and found love in his heart.

Better untaught than ill taught. This proverb drops the verb "to be". But we understand: "It is better not to be taught at all than to be taught badly." It's better not to learn something than to learn it badly.

Soon learnt, soon forgotten. Something that is easy to learn is easy to forget.

British Sayings

Bob's your uncle. It is added to the end of sentences a bit like and that's it!

Origin of Bob's your Uncle

"Bob's your Uncle" is a way of saying "you're all set" or "you've got it made." It's a catch phrase dating back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil (a.k.a. Lord Salisbury) decided to appoint a certain Arthur Balfour to the prestigious and sensitive post of Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Not lost on the British public was the fact that Lord Salisbury just happened to be better known to Arthur Balfour as "Uncle Bob." In the resulting furor over what was seen as an act of blatant nepotism, "Bob's your uncle" became a popular sarcastic comment applied to any situation where the outcome was preordained by favoritism. As the scandal faded in public memory, the phrase lost its edge and became just a synonym for "no problem."By James Harris

Burning the Candle at Both Ends - working for many hours without getting enough rest

Eyes are bigger than your belly - think you can eat more than you can 'My eyes were bigger than my belly, I couldn't eat every thing I had put on my plate'

Sleep Tight - Have a good nights sleep

Tie the Knot - Get Married

What language do you speak in Britain?

In Britain we speak British English. It is not the same as American or Australian English. 'Hi mate' is not the correct and appreciated way to approach someone in the street. Neither is 'G'day', 'Howdy' or 'Hey Mister'. The formal British way to greet some one is 'Good morning, good afternoon or good evening' and, if you want to ask something, 'Excuse me please'.

Interesting Facts

The English language is a West Germanic language, originating from England.

Over fifty percent of the English language is derived from Latin

English is the third most common "first" language (native peakers), with around 402 million people in 2002.

Not everyone in Britain speaks with a plummy English accent, like Hollywood wants you to believe. No-one sounds like Dick van Dyke in the film, Mary Poppins.

In Britain, every part of the country has its own way of speaking English. People in Yorkshire sound very different to people in Surrey; a Somerset accent is very different from an Scottish accent and it's hard to believe that people from Birmingham are speaking the same language as those from Cornwall. Most people in Britain can guess where someone comes from by the way they speak, either by their accent or by the words they use.

A dialect found mostly in East London is called cockney rhyming slang. You can read more about cockney rhyming slang by clicking here.

If you would like to speak like a person from London, Newcastle, Scotland, and Liverpool, click on the link below.

Queen's English   Jolly Well

Liverpool  Scouse Translator

North England  Yorkshire Translator

Birmingham   Brummie Translator

Newcastle  Geordie Translator

Scotland  Scott Translator

London (East End) Cockney Rhyming Slang Translator

WalesPeople in Wales speak a different language completely. About 25% of the people there still speak in their native Celtic tongue called welsh.

Shwmae? in welsh means How are you?Hoffet ti ddiod? means Would you like a drink?

ScotlandIn some regions of Scotland, gaelic is used as a first language (particularly in the Highlands and the Western Isles). All over

Scotland, the accent is markedly stronger, some words are different but overall it is not too difficult to understand.

Slang WordsBelow are a few slang words commonly used in Britain.

Bloke - man.'John is a nice bloke to know.'

Botched - poor quality repairs.'He made a botched job of fixing the television.'

Bottle - courage.'He doesn't have the bottle to ask her.'

Cheesed Off - fed up

Chuck it down - to rain, often heavily.'It is going to chuck it down soon.'

Chuffed - If you are chuffed, you are happy with something. 'I was chuffed to win a medal!'

Daft - Crazy / stupid

Dosh - Money / cash 'I haven't got much dosh to give you.'

Gobsmacked - Incredibly amazed.'I was gobsmacked when I saw my birthday presents.'

Gutted - Not happy because of an event that has occurred that didn't go your way. 'I was gutted when I didn't win the race'

Jammy - Used in place of lucky when describing someone else. 'He was very jammy winning the lottery'.

Scrummy - Delicious. Shortened from scrumptious.'The food was very scrummy'

Skint - Broke. No money.'I'm skint, I wont be able to buy the DVD today.'

to Snog - to long kiss

Telly - Television'I watched the news on the telly last night.'

Spellings

 British English  American English

colour color

humour humor

favourite favorite

theatre theater

kilometre kilometer

mum mom

cosy cozy

realise realize

dialogue dialog

traveller traveler

cheque check

jewellery jewelry

tyre tire

Why do Americans speak differently than people in England?

" The Americans are identical to the British in all respects except, of course, language."Oscar Wilde

"We (the British and Americans) are two countries separated by a common language."G.B. Shaw

American and the British use a lot of the same words . . . but they say them differently.

Accents play a part in the different ways people speak English around the world. Generally, an accent difference uses the same words for things, but pronounces them differently.

Americans have accent differences in different regions such as the South, Boston or New York.

In British English, however, not only do we pronounce the same words differently (accent), we also use different words for some things making it more a difference in dialect.

Australian English sounds like the British English accent to most Americans, but there are aborigine words added to the language which constitute a dialect difference.

Culture has an effect on language too. Cultural differences give rise to different vocabulary, phrases and different developments in grammar. America and Britain have very different cultures.

I suppose you could say that the English spoken in the different countries have evolved over time