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Those Whacky Cockneys

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louisev:
This morning at my office in southwest Britain, my colleague tells me he is going to make a call to a septic.

And I asked "What are you talking about?" with a mischievous grin he said "Don't you know what a septic is?"  and with complete bafflement I told him I didn't, and then he explained, "oh, well this is Cockney rhyming slang.  Don't you know that?"

This is how it works.

Septic refers to a septic TANK which rhymes with YANK and a YANK is an American.

He explained a few more of of the common ones to round out my education, which, according to Nigel my colleague, both terms in the rhyme are typically not used, only the non rhyming word of the pair, which implies, when spoken, the word that is supposed to be rhymed to.  I just found it bizarre and confusing.

Plates:  means Plates of MEAT which rhymes with FEET and it means:  FEET.

Frog:  means Frog and Toad which rhymes with ROAD and it means:  ROAD.

Apples: means Apples and Pears which rhymes with STAIRS and it means:  STAIRS.


Anyone else ever hear of this?  Is this the whackiest thing you have ever heard or WHAT?

MaineWriter:
Once I finish talking to the septic, I am going to take my plates and hit the frog.

All I can think is, Kermit! Watch out!

LauraGigs:
There's a Cockney rhyming slang thread here on Bettermost.  http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,11415.0.html

But yeah, to my yank ears it's a bit puzzling.  To be able to "get" these on the fly in conversation would take some hellacious practice . . .

Jeff Wrangler:
I think I remember hearing or reading somewhere that one's trouble and strife is one's ... wife.  ;D

souxi:

--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on September 13, 2007, 01:16:18 pm ---I think I remember hearing or reading somewhere that one's trouble and strife is one's ... wife.  ;D

--- End quote ---

That is quite correct Jeff. What would be wrong with you if you had a "dodgy strawberry"?  ;)
What would you be doing if you were having a " dig in the grave" and what would you be doing if you were "brushing your railings"?
Answers on a postcard please. ;) ;D :laugh:

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