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DIRECTORY OF SAUCY SLANG
Where Did That Expression Really Come From?
Know Your Onions! A Jumble of Random Slang

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​View Slang and Curses WordMap
A cheeky collection of all slang, insults, curses and idioms available from all categories

Rhythm and Rhyme
of Rhyming Slang
History & Origins of Rhyming Slang


​WHAT IS RHYMING SLANG?
Slang in which the word intended is replaced by a word or phrase that rhymes with it (as loaf of bread for head) or the first part of the phrase (as loaf for head). See examples below.

​HISTORY OF RHYMING SLANG
The Victorian era is often credited with the birth of rhyming slang but linguists believe it originates a lot earlier. It has been suggested that it originated in the belly of the criminal underworld as early as the 16th century. In “A Dictionary of Modern Slang, Can't and Vulgar Words”, written by Jon Camden Hotten in 1859, states that use began with street traders called “patterers and chaunters” based in the slums known of the Seven Dials in the West End of London

WHO USED IT?
The 19th century is most known for Cockney Rhyming Slang. It was created by the working class living within 'earshot' of the Bow Bells (the bells of "St Mary Le Bow" church in East London).

WHY WAS IT CREATED?
It was widely used in some parts of Victorian lower class life. It is unclear where and how it originated but it has been suggested that people communicated in rhyming slang to avoid detection by the police and to communicate information to each other in code. However some historians disagree because the police officers most likely lived in the same neighborhoods so they would understand the lingo. Another theory is that it was created because people liked the rhyming sound of words and they used it to foster a sense of community while excluding outsiders. People would use it to send messages too. Messages could be passed without fear of being overheard. If someone did overhear it they would have no idea what the conversation was about. This was especially prevalent in the marketplace where people used slang to speak freely among the merchants- sometimes for nefarious reasons.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
You take a common word and replace it with a rhyming phrase of two or three words. Then the actual word that rhymes is omitted. Most of the words affected are nouns and are unique to the locality or current events so are difficult to decipher by outsiders. Dialect and pronunciation are important- the way a word is said affects what it rhymes with.
EXAMPLES OF RHYMING SLANG:
The word is CASH
The rhyme is Bangers and Mash
Remove cash and if you are broke you would say: “I'm out of Bangers and Mash.”

The word is KNACKERED
The rhyme is Cream Crackerd
Remove knackered and you would say “I’m cream crackered” meaning tired or exhausted.

The word is DOPE
The rhyme is Bob Hope
Remove dope and if you wanted to get high you would say “I‘m trying to get a hold of Bob Hope.”
Rhyming slang is still in use today and it’s even crossed the ocean over to Australia. Some of the words created have made it into mainstream lexicon. The use of 'use your loaf' (to say use or head), 'have a barney' (to have a fight) and 'have a butchers' (to have a look) are commonly used by non slang speakers today.

MORE EXAMPLES:
  • Barney Rubble = Trouble. I'm in a right Barney Rubble.
  • Bottle Stopper = Copper. I had to leave when I saw the bottle stopper.
  • Brown Bread = Dead. He's Brown Bread when I get my hands on him
  • Jacobs Crackers = Knackers. (testicles) Mess with me and I'll cut your Jacobs off.
  • Lump of Ice = Advice. I gave him some lump of ice.
  • Rats and Mice = Dice (gambling) He always wins at rats and mice
  • Skin and Blister = Sister. I'm going to see my skin n blister.
  • Trouble and Strife = Wife. I'll be at my trouble and strife's.

SEE MORE IN THE WORDS OF THE WORLD:
Australian Rhyming Slang
Know Your Onions! A Journey of Slang
​Kiss a hare’s foot? Raggabrash in the Middle Ages
The Victorian’s Bricky Bags O’ Mystery
Two Whoops and a Holler in the Wild West
The British Love Their Bits N’ Bobs
The Rhythm of Rhyming Slang ~ History and form
​of Cockney and Australian Rhyming Slang
​
​WALKABOUT OF AUSSIE SLANG - (Home)
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