British slang.

I don't know what you call it, but I've heard of slang that entails common phrases and words that rhyme. For example, a staircase might be referred to as "up the apples."

We still use it here. A bilabial fricative is still known here as "the raspberries."

Does anyone here know the etymology or history behind these words and phrases?

Re: British slang.

I think you mean `Cockney rhyming slang`

Apples and pears=stairs

Plates of meat=feet

being in a `two and eight`=state(of mind)

take a butchers -butchers hook=look

kin `ell guv

Re: British slang.

you baint be from around these parts do thee?

Re: British slang.

Yup, that's the thing!

Do you know the background?

As for my travels, I live 80 miles from where I was born. Been to Canada once for three days in 1965. The only time I've been across the Mississippi River is to got to Sturgis, South Dakota and that area on vacations.

The only things I know about modern England is that teeth need reapir and the guys sit funny. Never owned a British car, and I wouldn't let my wife curtsy.

Re: British slang.

The background is not certain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyming_slang..

England may be tiny compared to the States but within say a 50 mile radius of anywhere the slang,accent and dialect changes

Re: British slang.

We Brits do know about some Americans who never go too far from the place and the fate of those who try

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N40d047u-L8&feature=fvst

Re: British slang.

Mince Pies...Eyes

North and South...Mouth

German Bands... Hands

Rag and Bone...Phone

Re: British slang.

There is also polari (or palare) - a gay slang language from here in the UK.

Language is great

Re: British slang.

I am located at a point on our Interstate system called 'the split.' Within Madison Wisconsin there is an intersection of three branches of that highway. One comes from Milwaukee Wisconsin, one comes from Chicago Illinois, and one heads to the upper west side of Wisconsin and into Minnesota. We call this Interstate section 39/90/94.

It's six lane highway, a poor man's Autobahn. High speeds, no stoplights and it's connected to anywhere in the nation. A Harley like my larger one can go +150 miles without stopping to top off for fuel. On a different bike I did 750 miles in one day.

I just like my area. The seasons change, we get snow for Christmas and Madison does not have the serious inner city problems that many places do. It's a college town, very liberal, very laid back.

My brother prefers Florida, and he is a college dean there. That's too muggy for me, I like the cooler less humid months in autumn.

Re: British slang.

Oooo you aren't arf norty OG, but I like you.