Meaning

Four by two

Categorised in: Cockney Rhyming Slang

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Four by two'?

Jew.

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What football is all about - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Four by two’?

Cockney rhyming slang. Four inches by two inches is a size in which timber is sold in the UK. A ‘four by two’ is a timber batten.

Historical trend

“Four by two” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1840–2020).

1840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Four by two