The logo of the World Airline Road Race featuring a globe of the world surrounded by a laurel wreath.

World Airline Road Race Festival London 2010

 The event logo of the World Airline Road Race 2010 London featuring a running shoe whose lace forms the course of the river Thames over well known London landmarks

Cockney Rhyming Slang

“Put on your best whistle and use your plates to join us on the frog and toad to visit the rubber dub for a pig’s ear or just a rosie, and let’s stop for a ruby on the way home.”

 

Did you know that Londoners have their own language?

 

It is called Cockney Rhyming Slang, unique to London, it originated in the mid 19th Century in the East End of London started by the dock workers.  The docks are gone, replaced with impressive offices, posh housing and even London City Airport (LCY) but the language remains.

 

How did does it work?

 

It uses substitute words, often two, as a coded alternative for another word.  The final word of the substitute phrase rhymes with the word replaced but the first word is usually the one spoken.

 

Some examples:

 

Frog and Toad = road

Rosie Lee = cup of tea

Ruby Murray (a 50’s singer) = curry

Plates of meat = feet

Rubber dub = pub

Pig’s ear = beer

Whistle and flute = suit