How Cockney are you ?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:54 pm

No America... I'm not talking about a penis resting on the middle of your leg.

London speak.

I'm annoyed I got one wrong.

Take the test.

Can You Speak Cockney Rhyming Slang?

theia · Post by **theia** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:01 pm

One wrong here too...the cat and mouse lol

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:02 pm

one wrong, brown bread. I actually thought I would fail miserably.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:04 pm

theia;1463237 wrote: One wrong here too...the cat and mouse lol That was the one I failed on.

Wandrin · Post by **Wandrin** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:29 pm

I got 8 right and I have no idea what Cockney is.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:47 pm

Wandrin;1463256 wrote: I got 8 right and I have no idea what Cockney is.

Rhyming slang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Post by **LarsMac** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:49 pm

I missed the blister.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 4:05 am

Wandrin;1463256 wrote: I got 8 right and I have no idea what Cockney is.

Oscar Namechange;1463257 wrote: Rhyming slang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

!2 out of 12 here but I am no cockney, just a Londoner.

A Cockney is technically some born withing the sound of Bowbells a church in Cheapside in the City of London.

Cockney Rhyming slang was once a way that street traders or criminals masked what they were talking about, these days it's a touristy gimmick that they add to with made up nonsense. One of the latest crimes against rhyming slang is a TV advert that gives the name 'Hank Marvin' a 60's lead guitar in the Shadows a backing group behind Cliff Richard as the rhyming slang for starving.......it depends who you ask though because somebody somewhere is making up new 'slang' all the time.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:26 am

LarsMac;1463260 wrote: I missed the blister. My husband being born In the East End of London uses It a lot.

I remember once he turned to my snooty cousin to ask how her bubble was. Bubble and Squeak..... Greek

Or he'll see someone and say ' That's got to be a syrup. Syrup of fig.... Wig

Wandrin · Post by **Wandrin** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:59 am

Thanks for the explanations. So should I assume that all of the lyrics to the old Cockney Rebels songs were in some sort of Cockney code?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:12 am

Wandrin;1463293 wrote: Thanks for the explanations. So should I assume that all of the lyrics to the old Cockney Rebels songs were in some sort of Cockney code? It was apparently a code the old Londoners used to stop outsiders knowing what they were talking about.

The East End of London Is deep rooted In tradition.

I was once at a Pearly Kings and Queens night and the compare shoved a microphone In my face and asked ' Do you know Burlington Bertie' and I had to say ' No, but I do know Dagenham Dave'

Perhaps Bruv will do the honours of explaining the London Pearly Kings and Queens tradition.... It's time for me to allow my dogs to drag me around a muddy field and humiliate me.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:18 am

Oscar Namechange;1463296 wrote: Perhaps Bruv will do the honours of explaining the London Pearly Kings and Queens tradition.... It's time for me to allow my dogs to drag me around a muddy field and humiliate me.

Why no one asked............and you will only duplicate it later......like you do.

OK here you go

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:46 pm

Blimey! 8 right! & I haven't been in London for years! I'm proud of myself

.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:54 pm

There is a belief that Rhyming Slang was created to avoid the Police understanding what it was they were saying, but that, too, is thought to be an Urban Myth, as the Police would also have been raised in the same neighbourhood & would totally understand everything anyway.

I think it's just something that developed over time & as such, as with with all language, it's constantly evolving, so the Hank Marvin example isn't really any less valid. It's just a matter of moving with the times.

As for a 'true' Cockney having been born within the sound of Bow Bells. Well that, too, is rather vague, as a lot depends on weather conditions & time of day (i.e. Noise Pollution). I suppose technically I could be classed as a genuine Cockney, having been born in Dartford, which could be within the sound of the bells, under the right conditions.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 3:02 pm

:wah:When I was In Leeds ( the North to our US members) for the first time, I asked a friend to escort me to the corner shop because I was new to the area.

Arriving back, I remarked that I could have found It as It wasn't that far.

he asked what way did we go adding ' Did he take you up the Ginnel ' ?

What ???

Well hush my dirty mind

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 3:14 pm

Here you go Fourpart

Accoustic reach of Bowbells

Cockneys

St Mary-le-Bow

Apparently there was a time when the bells were not rung, so no Cockneys were born during that period, these days the likelihood of a cockney birth are negligable because there are np Maternity Hospitals and I doubt many residential addresses within earshot

911 · Post by **911** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:54 pm

Y'all talk funny, ya know?! LOL!

I only got three wrong, pretty good for a yank or yankette, whatever youse guys call us

The Pearls clothes are so pretty but I bet they are heavy

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:41 am

911;1463378 wrote: Y'all talk funny, ya know?! LOL!

I only got three wrong, pretty good for a yank or yankette, whatever youse guys call us

The Pearls clothes are so pretty but I bet they are heavy

Well done Yankette !!!

Cockney's have their own songs as well.

I've been to a few Pearly King and King functions In the East End with my Eastender husband. There's one song with a line It that goes ' Av a banana '.... that's when the 10 year old within me takes over and I start giggling.

' Let's all go down the Strand'... that's what It's called... just remembered.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:34 am

For your delectation HERE is the number in question, but no bananas.

These have none either HERE

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:01 am

Bruv;1463399 wrote: For your delectation HERE is the number in question, but no bananas.

These have none either HERE

"Lets All Go Down The Strand And Have A Banana" -CatherineTate - YouTube

I don't think It's the official lyrics, just what the Kings and Queens encouraged you to do at the Pearly nights especially In Bethnal Green.

I always got as far as the first shout of ' av a banana' and cracked up.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:21 am

I've always known it to have "Have a banana" in it as well.

Then there's the "Lambeth Walk" as well.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:01 am

FourPart;1463404 wrote: I've always known it to have "Have a banana" in it as well.

See Bruv ?

So ner ner ner ner ner

During the war, my Grandmother had a pub next to a USA Air base. My Mother was the Sussex Vera Lynne and would sing In the pub to the airman.

This was her favourite and I get all dewy eyed when I hear It.

ROD STEWART LYRICS - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:10 am

FourPart;1463361 wrote: There is a belief that Rhyming Slang was created to avoid the Police understanding what it was they were saying, but that, too, is thought to be an Urban Myth, as the Police would also have been raised in the same neighbourhood & would totally understand everything anyway.

I think it's just something that developed over time & as such, as with with all language, it's constantly evolving, so the Hank Marvin example isn't really any less valid. It's just a matter of moving with the times.

As for a 'true' Cockney having been born within the sound of Bow Bells. Well that, too, is rather vague, as a lot depends on weather conditions & time of day (i.e. Noise Pollution). I suppose technically I could be classed as a genuine Cockney, having been born in Dartford, which could be within the sound of the bells, under the right conditions.

Completely agree.

Born in Dirtford eh ?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:55 pm

Dartford hospital, but my original (small copy) Birth Certificate says "East Thames", although my recent (large) copy says Orsett.

Some time ago, when I was working as a car delivery driver & had to pick up a motor from Dartford hospital, as it was in the final stages of closing down. It's weird how it felt really eerie knowing that I came into the world in that abandoned ruin.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:00 pm

FourPart;1463421 wrote: Dartford hospital, but my original (small copy) Birth Certificate says "East Thames", although my recent (large) copy says Orsett.

Some time ago, when I was working as a car delivery driver & had to pick up a motor from Dartford hospital, as it was in the final stages of closing down. It's weird how it felt really eerie knowing that I came into the world in that abandoned ruin.

West Hill or Joyce Green ?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:07 pm

FourPart;1463421 wrote: Dartford hospital, but my original (small copy) Birth Certificate says "East Thames", although my recent (large) copy says Orsett.

Some time ago, when I was working as a car delivery driver & had to pick up a motor from Dartford hospital, as it was in the final stages of closing down. It's weird how it felt really eerie knowing that I came into the world in that abandoned ruin.

Do you eat Eels ?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:07 pm

Dunno - it was just the hospital near the crossing. Didn't seem much more than a Cottage Hospital.

Mind you, my parents address was listed as Bata Hotel, East Tilbury, Thurrock. I did some checking & it seems the hotel was actually a hostel for the female workers at the Bata factory - yet it had my Father's address as being there as well. Go figure.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 2:32 pm

FourPart;1463404 wrote: I've always known it to have "Have a banana" in it as well.

Then there's the "Lambeth Walk" as well.

That's probably where Oscar formed her political outlook...................

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:01 pm

Bruv;1463427 wrote: That's probably where Oscar formed her political outlook...................

Try 50 miles down the road. I was born In The Royal Sussex County Hospital without a Nazi In sight.

Today more famous for this.

Brighton Pride 2014 - eFestivals.co.uk