GLOSSARY OF THE RHYMING SLANG.
- ABRAHAM’S WILLING, a shilling.
- ALACOMPAIN, rain.
- ALL AFLOAT, a coat.
- ANY RACKET, a penny faggot.
- APPLES AND PEARS, stairs.
- ARTFUL DODGER, a lodger.
- ARTICHOKE RIPE, smoke a pipe.
- BABY PAPS, caps.
- BARNET FAIR, hair.
- BATTLE OF THE NILE, a tile—vulgar term for a hat.
- BEN FLAKE, a steak.
- BILLY BUTTON, mutton.
- BIRCH BROOM, a room.
- BIRD LIME, time.
- BOB, MY PAL, a gal,—vulgar pronunciation of girl.
- BONNETS SO BLUE, Irish stew.
- BOTTLE OF SPRUCE, a deuce,—slang for twopence.
- BOWL THE HOOP, soup.
- BRIAN O’LINN, gin.
- BROWN BESS, yes—the affirmative.
- BROWN JOE, no—the negative.
- BULL AND COW, a row.
- BUSHY PARK, a lark.
- BUTTER FLAP, a cap.
- CAIN AND ABEL, a table.
- CAMDEN TOWN, a brown,—vulgar term for a halfpenny.
- CASTLE RAG, a flag,—slang term for fourpence.
- CAT AND MOUSE, a house.
- CHALK FARM, the arm.
- CHARING CROSS, a horse.
- CHARLEY LANCASTER, a handkercher,—vulgar pronunciation of handkerchief.
- CHARLEY PRESCOTT, waistcoat.
- CHERRY RIPE, a pipe.
- CHEVY CHASE, the face.
- CHUMP (OR CHUNK) OF WOOD, no good.
- COW AND CALF, to laugh.
- COVENT GARDEN, a farden,—Cockney pronunciation of farthing.
- COWS AND KISSES, mistress or missus—referring to the ladies.
- CURRANTS AND PLUMS, thrums,—slang for threepence.
- DAISY RECROOTS (so spelt by my informant of Seven Dials; he means, doubtless, recruits), a pair of boots.
- DAN TUCKER, butter.
- DING DONG, a song.
- DRY LAND, you understand.
- DUKE OF YORK, take a walk.
- EAST AND SOUTH, a mouth.
- EAT A FIG, to “crack a crib,” to break into a house, or commit a burglary.
- EGYPTIAN HALL, a ball.
- ELEPHANT’S TRUNK, drunk.
- EPSOM RACES, a pair of braces.
- EVERTON TOFFEE, coffee.
- FANNY BLAIR, the hair.
- FILLET OF VEAL, the treadwheel, house of correction.
- FINGER AND THUMB, rum.
- FLAG UNFURLED, a man of the world.
- FLEA AND LOUSE, a bad house.
- FLOUNDER AND DAB (two kinds of flat fish), a cab.
- FLY MY KITE, a light.
- FROG AND TOAD, the main road.
- GARDEN GATE, a magistrate.
- GERMAN FLUTES, a pair of boots.
- GIRL AND BOY, a saveloy,—a penny sausage.
- GLORIOUS SINNER, a dinner.
- GODDESS DIANA (pronounced DIANER), a tanner,—sixpence.
- GOOSEBERRY PUDDING (vulgo PUDDEN), a woman.
- HANG BLUFF, snuff.
- HOD OF MORTAR, a pot of porter.
- HOUNSLOW HEATH, teeth.
- I DESIRE, a fire.
- I’M AFLOAT, a boat.
- ISLE OF FRANCE, a dance.
- ISABELLA (vulgar pronunciation, ISABELLER), an umbrella.
- I SUPPOSE, the nose.
- JACK DANDY, brandy.
- JACK RANDALL (a noted pugilist), a candle.
- JENNY LINDER, a winder,—vulgar pronunciation of window.
- JOE SAVAGE, a cabbage.
- LATH AND PLASTER, a master.
- LEAN AND LURCH, a church.
- LEAN AND FAT, a hat.
- LINENDRAPER, paper.
- LIVE EELS, fields.
- LOAD OF HAY, a day.
- LONG ACRE, a baker.
- LONG ACRE, a newspaper. See the preceding.
- LORD JOHN RUSSELL, a bustle.
- LORD LOVEL, a shovel.
- LUMP OF COKE, a bloak,—slang term for a man.
- LUMP OF LEAD, the head.
- MACARONI, a pony.
- MAIDS A DAWNING (I suppose my informant means maids adorning), the morning.
- MAIDSTONE JAILOR, a tailor.
- MINCE PIES, the eyes.
- MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, water.
- MUFFIN BAKER, a Quaker.
- NAVIGATORS, taturs,—vulgar pronunciation of potatoes.
- NAVIGATOR SCOT, baked potatoes all hot.
- NEEDLE AND THREAD, bread.
- NEVER FEAR, a pint of beer.
- NIGHT AND DAY, go to the play.
- NOSE AND CHIN, a winn,—ancient cant for a penny.
- NOSE-MY, backy,—vulgar pronunciation of tobacco.
- OATS AND BARLEY, Charley.
- OATS AND CHAFF, a footpath.
- ORINOKO (pronounced ORINOKER), a poker.
- OVER THE STILE, sent for trial.
- PADDY QUICK, thick; or, a stick.
- PEN AND INK, a stink.
- PITCH AND FILL, Bill,—vulgar shortening for William.
- PLATE OF MEAT, a street.
- PLOUGH THE DEEP, to go to sleep.
- PUDDINGS AND PIES, the eyes.
- READ OF TRIPE (?), transported for life.
- READ AND WRITE, to fight.
- READ AND WRITE, flight.—See preceding.
- RIVER LEA, tea.
- ROGUE AND VILLAIN, a shillin,—common pronunciation of shilling.
- RORY O’MORE, the floor.
- ROUND THE HOUSES, trouses,—vulgar pronunciation of trousers.
- SALMON TROUT, the mouth.
- SCOTCH PEG, a leg.
- SHIP IN FULL SAIL, a pot of ale.
- SIR WALTER SCOTT, a pot,—of beer.
- SLOOP OF WAR, a whore.
- SNAKE IN THE GRASS, a looking glass.
- SORROWFUL TALE, three months in jail.
- SPLIT ASUNDER, a costermonger.
- SPLIT PEA, tea.
- SPORT AND WIN, Jim.
- STEAM PACKET, a jacket.
- ST. MARTINS-LE-GRAND, the hand.
- STOP THIEF, beef.
- SUGAR AND HONEY, money.
- SUGAR CANDY, brandy.
- TAKE A FRIGHT, night.
- THREE QUARTERS OF A PECK, the neck,—in writing, expressed by the simple “¾.”
- THROW ME IN THE DIRT, a shirt.
- TOMMY O’RANN, scran,—vulgar term for food.
- TOM TRIPE, a pipe.
- TOM RIGHT, night.
- TOP JINT (vulgar pronunciation of joint), a pint,—of beer.
- TOP OF ROME, home.
- TURTLE DOVES, a pair of gloves.
- TWO FOOT RULE, a fool.
- WIND DO TWIRL, a fine girl.