As I mentioned last week in my blog, Cockneys (see previous blog entry if you don't know what a Cockney is) have a particular way of speaking that is unique to them. This is commonly called Cockney Rhyming Slang.

Rhyming Slang phrases are made by taking an expression which rhymes with a word and then using that expression instead of the word. For example the word look rhymes with butcher's hook. In many cases the rhyming word is omitted - so a Cockney would say "give me a butcher's" meaning of course "give me a look".

Cockney Rhyming Slang originated in the East End of London. Some slang expressions have escaped from London and are in popular use throughout the rest of Britain. For example use your loaf is an everyday phrase for the British, but not too many people realise it is Cockney Rhyming Slang ("loaf of bread: head"). Use your loaf means to use your head, to think.

So let me give you a quiz based on body parts and Cockney Rhyming Slang. I'll give you the Rhyming Slang and you write the body part in English. 

Example 

loaf of bread = head

1. Plates of meat =  f _ _ _

2. Hampsteqad Heath = t _ _ _ _

3. Scotch eggs = l _ _ _

4. Mince pies = e _ _ _

5. Barnet Fair = h _ _ _

6. Boat race = f _ _ _

7. North and south = m _ _ _ _

OK and that's it -answers next week!

Love and peace

Fadi