For my UK friends: How do you know what is meant in...

Joel Terry · January 20th, 2005, 07:07 PM

--Cockney rhyming slang? I can't follow the logic...is this just something you naturally pick up in the UK as a toddler?

A confused Septic,
Joel

Scotland · January 20th, 2005, 07:21 PM

It's not only cockney slang, we do it here too, it's just something you grow up with, something we say over a cup of Rosy Lea. Make it up as you talk and we sort of know instantly what is meant. A Ruby Murray with a Mick Jagger, just what I want when I'm Hank Marvin.
A curry with a lager, just when I'm starvin'.

lenny · January 20th, 2005, 07:25 PM

Joel i think they are all crazy if any of that makes sense
:P just kidding. i've never even heard if it til now

Joe-Bob · January 20th, 2005, 07:52 PM

It helps to paint yourself blue, and go running screaming and naked through the forest.

Telemaniac · January 20th, 2005, 08:26 PM

A little story that's always amused me - back in the early 80s I worked for Lockheed in Saudi (about 40% Brits at the time), we ran a competition for the best story in Cockney Rhyming Slang. It was won by an ex Wing Commander from the Indian Air Force who'd never been to Britain in his life! His story was very long and absolutely brilliant - and of course I've lost it now.

sparky · January 20th, 2005, 08:27 PM

just use your loaf :)

Scotland · January 21st, 2005, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

just use your loaf :)

Good one Sparky.

I hope this thread doesn't end up brown bread !

staxman · January 21st, 2005, 06:58 AM

I'm in deep barney. (Barney Rubble - rhymes with "trouble")

Try this site:

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

It has an English to Slang/Slang to English translator.

See you fish n' taters! (rhymes with "laters")

Scotland · January 21st, 2005, 07:00 AM

They are a duo who use the slang in most of their songs. Used to be with Heads Hands and Feet a million years ago. Real East-End London pub songs.

staxman · January 21st, 2005, 07:05 AM

PS

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/

Go to the above site. Click on "L" in the Slang to English section and look up "Leo Fender"

Loco · January 21st, 2005, 09:30 AM

Don't know if the BBC soap opera Eastenders gets aired over in the States, but I'm guessing you'd need subtitles eh?

Have to admit I'm not well versed in Cockney rhyming slang, cos I was born in Oxford: we spoke proper there see?

Joel, that link has introduced me to some slang which I hadn't come across until now - thank you! :D

Eric Karonen · January 21st, 2005, 09:59 AM

I love this kind of stuff. It's an exercise in lateral thinking a la Edward De Bono. Thanks for bringing this up, Joel.

And now it's time for a gypsy kiss and an oily rag.

Joel Terry · January 21st, 2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotland

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

just use your loaf :)

Good one Sparky.

I hope this thread doesn't end up brown bread !

Ah HA! "Just use your loaf"...loaf="bread," which rhymes with "head."

Hey, you know, I think I could actually axe this diamond!

axe="pick," which rhymes with lick;
diamond="ring," which rhymes with "thing." (Not so good--I know! Yeah, well, hey--I'm a Yank, after all...I'm new at this! :P)

Actually I think I understand it now; it seems to be easier to decipher than I thought it was at first glance.

Thanks for the replies, gents--I love this kind of stuff!

Joel

Joel Terry · January 21st, 2005, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotland

They are a duo who use the slang in most of their songs. Used to be with Heads Hands and Feet a million years ago. Real East-End London pub songs.

John, wasn't Telecaster great Albert Lee in HH&F?

Joel

lenny · January 21st, 2005, 10:26 AM

I don't think my brain works like that. I understand the concept now, but anytime in this thread someone uses it, i am 100% lost. Maybe the musician part of me needs to hear it

PeterUK · January 21st, 2005, 10:28 AM

I'm from Nottingham and no-one south of the River Trent can understand us anyway!

Residents of London think that it's all tundra above Hendon, where ptarmigam and elks roam freely.

Peter

marquis de jonny · January 21st, 2005, 10:28 AM

my fav:

aristotle = bottle

just has a nice ring to it...

PeterUK · January 21st, 2005, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenny

I don't think my brain works like that. I understand the concept now, but anytime in this thread someone uses it, i am 100% lost. Maybe the musician part of me needs to hear it

But you'll be telling us next that you can understand Fuzzy speak?!

Peter

Oops. I said I'd stay out of this one! 8)

Joel Terry · January 21st, 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco

Don't know if the BBC soap opera Eastenders gets aired over in the States, but I'm guessing you'd need subtitles eh?

I have to say, that I've not seen Eastenders--I'm more of a comedy man. (Although I did watch Coronation Street for years!)

Loco, I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't seem to have all that much of a language problem with a lot of the Lionheart Television (BBC In America) programming here. The humor of the British comedies translates very well, regardless of slang differences--I'm usually laughing my ass off over the comedy shows. To me, shows like Are You Being Served and Keeping Up Appearances are nothing less than classics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco

Have to admit I'm not well versed in Cockney rhyming slang, cos I was born in Oxford: we spoke proper there see? Joel, that link has introduced me to some slang which I hadn't come across until now - thank you! :D

I've said it before, and I'll say it again--I'm absolutely fascinated by the English language and its many dialects and regional idiosyncracies, whether here in the States, in the U.K., or in Australia and New Zealand--or any other English-speaking place.

I wish I had full command of several languages just to investigate the regional differences and similarities in them, too!

Joel

lenny · January 21st, 2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterUK

But you'll be telling us next that you can understand Fuzzy speak?!

Peter

Oops. I said I'd stay out of this one! 8)

Fuzzy speak is easy...

and btw.. sorry for calling you all crazy i just realized i am crazy too in that case when i breeze thru a fuzzy post :P

Joel Terry · January 21st, 2005, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterUK

I'm from Nottingham and no-one south of the River Trent can understand us anyway!

Residents of London think that it's all tundra above Hendon, where ptarmigam and elks roam freely.

Peter

My goodness, Peter--what happens when you come to the States on holiday and meet up with some crackers ("hicks, rubes, etc.") there in Florida? Do you understand each other?

Overall, what's the most difficult English dialect for you to understand? For me, it seems to be Scouse. And there actually are some really, REALLY rural Southeastern U.S. dialects which I find difficult to understand; I especially have trouble with creole-based accents here in the States, like Gullah ("Geechee") and Arcadian ("Cajun"). (Well, technically, you could argue that both of these are pidgin languages, and not really English.)

Joel

Scotland · January 21st, 2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel Terry

John, wasn't Telecaster great Albert Lee in HH&F?

Joel

Certainly was Joel, and at the same time as Chas. Chas always said Albert Lee would never make it because he was too shy and wouldn't turn up the volume.
Anyway, he got in a right two and eight over it so decided to Adam and Eve. Never looked back since.

PeterUK · January 21st, 2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel Terry

My goodness, Peter--what happens when you come to the States on holiday and meet up with some crackers ("hicks, rubes, etc.") there in Florida? Do you understand each other?

Joel

No, but with nearly 2 Dollars to the Pound, we have a way of communicating!

Today has been fun. Apart from one thread, dipping in and out of the TDP has been fun; a welcome break from manipulating complex spreadsheets.

See y'all later, as they say in Putney!

:D Peter

January 20th, 2005, 07:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,405 17 Photos	For my UK friends: How do you know what is meant in... --Cockney rhyming slang? I can't follow the logic...is this just something you naturally pick up in the UK as a toddler? A confused Septic, Joel __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

January 20th, 2005, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,502 3 Photos	Joel It's not only cockney slang, we do it here too, it's just something you grow up with, something we say over a cup of Rosy Lea. Make it up as you talk and we sort of know instantly what is meant. A Ruby Murray with a Mick Jagger, just what I want when I'm Hank Marvin. A curry with a lager, just when I'm starvin'. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

January 20th, 2005, 07:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 3,892	It helps to paint yourself blue, and go running screaming and naked through the forest. __________________ Music is the language of God.

January 20th, 2005, 08:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Telemaniac Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wokingham, England Age: 56 Posts: 1,253 2 Photos	A little story that's always amused me - back in the early 80s I worked for Lockheed in Saudi (about 40% Brits at the time), we ran a competition for the best story in Cockney Rhyming Slang. It was won by an ex Wing Commander from the Indian Air Force who'd never been to Britain in his life! His story was very long and absolutely brilliant - and of course I've lost it now. __________________ Growing old is mandatory . . . growing up is optional

January 20th, 2005, 08:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
sparky Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 480	Joel, it's easy . . . just use your loaf :)

January 20th, 2005, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
lenny Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Haven, CT. USA Posts: 3,219	Joel i think they are all crazy if any of that makes sense :P just kidding. i've never even heard if it til now

January 21st, 2005, 06:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
staxman Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 514	Barclays Bank - rhymes with wank I'm in deep barney. (Barney Rubble - rhymes with "trouble") Try this site: http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/ It has an English to Slang/Slang to English translator. See you fish n' taters! (rhymes with "laters")

January 21st, 2005, 07:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,502 3 Photos	Chas and Dave They are a duo who use the slang in most of their songs. Used to be with Heads Hands and Feet a million years ago. Real East-End London pub songs. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

January 21st, 2005, 07:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
staxman Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 514	PS http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/ Go to the above site. Click on "L" in the Slang to English section and look up "Leo Fender"

January 21st, 2005, 09:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
Loco Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dorset, England Age: 53 Posts: 665	Don't know if the BBC soap opera Eastenders gets aired over in the States, but I'm guessing you'd need subtitles eh? Have to admit I'm not well versed in Cockney rhyming slang, cos I was born in Oxford: we spoke proper there see? Joel, that link has introduced me to some slang which I hadn't come across until now - thank you! :D

January 21st, 2005, 09:59 AM	#12 (permalink)
Eric Karonen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 56 Posts: 1,391	I love this kind of stuff. It's an exercise in lateral thinking a la Edward De Bono. Thanks for bringing this up, Joel. And now it's time for a gypsy kiss and an oily rag. __________________ Sounds the tough horn, and twangs the quivering string. --Pope (1688-1744)

January 21st, 2005, 10:26 AM	#15 (permalink)
lenny Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Haven, CT. USA Posts: 3,219	I don't think my brain works like that. I understand the concept now, but anytime in this thread someone uses it, i am 100% lost. Maybe the musician part of me needs to hear it

January 21st, 2005, 10:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
PeterUK Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: . Posts: 2,830	I'm staying out of this one! I'm from Nottingham and no-one south of the River Trent can understand us anyway! Residents of London think that it's all tundra above Hendon, where ptarmigam and elks roam freely. Peter

January 21st, 2005, 10:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
marquis de jonny Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ise-shima, japan/melbourne, australia Age: 36 Posts: 824 8 Photos	my fav: aristotle = bottle just has a nice ring to it... __________________ i'm gonna have me some unreal f#$%*&g good times