210. An Intermediate Guide To Cockney Rhyming Slang

Slang: Oxo Cube
Meaning: Tube
Example: It’s Quicker By Oxo.
Translation: The fastest way across the city is in a tube train.

Slang: Cream Crackered
Meaning: Knackered (tired)
Example: I’m turning in early, I’m right cream crackered.
Translation: I shall go to bed early tonight as I am very tired.

Slang: Saucepan Lids
Meaning: Kids
Example: Ave' you seen what them saucepans are up to?
Translation: Do you know what the children are doing?
Thanks boys

Slang: Pigs Ear
Meaning: Beer
Example: Cor there's nuffink 'its the spot like a nice cold pigs.
Translation: There's nothing quite as refreshing as a nice cold beer.
Notes: 1. Pigs Ear is more likely to be used for real ale than the fizzy water that is pictured here. 2. There is another slang phrase "to make a pigs ear of something". This is nothing to do with beer or rhyming. It means to make a mess of something. I believe it comes from reversing the story about turning a sows ear into a silk purse. 3. It is theoretically possible to use both types of pigs ear in one sentence, but I've never heard it done.

Slang: Barnet Fair.
Meaning: Hair
Example: I'm orf to ave the old Barnet cut.
Translation: I am just going to have my hair cut.

Slang: Trouble and Strife
Meaning: Wife
Example: I daren’t be back late, the trouble will kill me.
Translation: I mustn’t be late home, my good lady wife wouldn’t like it.
Thanks to Revenant for the idea and Lin for posing.