The Old Broad Bean
COCKNEY = RHYMING SLANG THE OLD BROAD BEAN = THE QUEEN Cockneys
are working-class inhabitants of London. But according to tradition,
the strict definition is limited to those born within earshot
(generally taken to be three miles) of the Bow bells, in other
words the bells of St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside.
Formerly it included the City, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Finsbury, and Hackney although according to the legend of Dick Whittington, the bells could be heard from as far away as Highgate. Rhyming slang developed as a way of obscuring the meaning of sentences to those who did not understand the slang. It was developed intentionally to assist criminals or to maintain a particular community. Cockney speakers have a distinctive accent and dialect, and frequently use Cockney rhyming slang. EXAMPLES:
Old broad bean = The Queen Apples and pears = Stairs ("Get up them apples!") Barnet Fair = Hair ("What’s a matter with yer Barnet") Frog and toad = Road ("I was crossing the frog") Pig's Ear = Beer Adam and Eve = Believe Berlin Walls = Balls Tom Foolery = Jewellery |
