More rhyming expressions

Posted by Bob June 23, 2000In reply to More rhyming expressions posted by Gary Martin on June 23, 2000

I obsess a bit with early 20th century UK crime writings with all the really beautiful Cockney rhyming expressions. Here are some of my faves:

Adam & Eve = Believe (as in would you Adam & Eve it?!?)
Duke of York = Fork
Alan Whickers = Knickers
Jam Jar = Car
Pen & Ink = Stink (as in it pen & inks in here!)
Boat race = Face (as in ugly boat)
Plates of Meat = Feet
Butchers Hook = Look (as in take a butcher's at that!)
Pork Pie = Lie - to tell a lie (as in are you telling porkies?)
Cane & Abel = Table
Tilbury Docks = Socks
Dog & Bone = Telephone
2 & 8 = State (as in getting into a right 2 & 8)
dustbin lids= kids / children

The expression "put up your dukes" (which I had once assumed was American) is derived from Duke of York = fork. If you put your fists in front of you to engage in a fistfight, it's the same gesture (sort of) as holding two forks (or knife and fork), preparing for a feast.