The Cockney Code Uncovered! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Butcher's hook = look

"Butcher's hook" is often just shortened to "butcher's", meaning to have a look.

It is thought that this phrase may have originated somewhere around Smithfield Market in Farringdon, London. Smithfield's is famous all over the land for its meat markets, which date back thousands of years. Certainly there would have been plenty of butchers and their hooks here, and was certainly a spectacle to look at! The market still operates today, though sadly the magnificent building is looking a little dilapidated.

Cockney slang is thought by many to have originated amongst the market traders (costermongers) of London, particularly those who may have been trading illegally, as a sort of code. Others believe the Cockney vernacular to be far older.

Answer: His wife

A classic Cockney rhyming slang phrase with a touch of crude humour, "trouble and strife" is usually said as a whole phrase to mean "wife". An alternative phrase is "bag for life" - lets hope these respective wives don't get offended!

Answer: Barnet

The original, entire phrase is "Barnet Fair", though now it is more commonly shortened to just "Barnet". An example of this in use might be "I've been and had me Barnet done today," meaning that the speaker has had their hair done.

Thank you to Snowman for pointing out that Barnet is not a part of east London, where Cockney originated, and indeed was not a part of Greater London until 1965, by which time the phrase "Barnet Fair" was already well established as rhyming slang.

Answer: A cheque

Gregory Peck, or just Gregory, refers to a cheque. It can also (confusingly) be used to mean the word "neck", but in this context I think it is safe to assume it means the former rather than the latter!

The phrase was quite simply borrowed from the name of the famous American actor, who starred as Atticus Finch in the 1962 classic 'To Kill A Mockingbird.'

Answer: False

George, short for George Raft, refers to a draught. If the phrase in the question was referring to an unpleasant smell, there may have been a "pen and ink" - stink!

Another phrase coined from the name of an American actor, George Raft landed many roles as a gangster in American mob films, and famously starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like It Hot'.

Answer: Aunt Joanna

Three of the words, although they sound musical, do not actually refer to anything musical at all. Aunt Joanna, on the other hand, refers to a musical instrument. Here's what they mean:

Philharmonic = Gin & Tonic
Whistle and flute = suit (i.e. a suit of clothes)
Rhythm 'n' blues = shoes
Aunt Joanna = piano

Aunt Joanna is usually shortened to just "Joanna". Ok, so it still doesn't rhyme with piano, I hear you say. Listen to a true Londoner say "piano" and then you'll understand where the rhyming comes from!

Answer: They are parts of the body

With these phrases, there is probably little else to link them to their translated meanings other than the fact that they rhyme and all share a bit of Cockney humour. Here are their meanings:

Mince pies = eyes
Loaf of bread = head
Plates of meat = feet
Bacon and eggs = legs
Boat race = face

You can now use the phrase "I'm going to wash my boat" to impress your neighbours, whilst smugly knowing you don't really own a pleasure yacht, but are just off for a wash!

Answer: To the dentist

I said that it may be helpful to have a little knowledge of London when trying to decipher some rhyming slang. Here, in order to work out the rhyme, you'd have to know that Hampstead refers to the area of Hampstead Heath. Now you have the whole phrase, and can think what it may rhyme with. Hampstead Heath rhymes with teeth, so therefore in this question you would be off to see a dentist. Open wide!

Answer: Earwig

The original use of "earwig" in rhyming slang was in rhyming with "twig", i.e. to catch on or understand something. Nowadays, we may say to someone "ssshhh,I'm earwigging" if you were trying to overhear a conversation - and perhaps never consider the origins behind what you said.

Answer: Slang term for 25 pounds

A "pony" is £25. A "score" means £20, and a "monkey" means £500.

Thanks to Cymruambyth for enlightening me to the fact that the terms "pony" and "monkey" have their roots in Regency era slang! However, they are also a common part of Cockney vernacular, hence their inclusion here. Of course, a score means 20 in general everyday language use too.

And for those eagle-eyed quizzers who spotted the deliberate mistake: Del Boy and Rodney are of course from Peckham, South London, but they still like to pepper their language with rhyming slang and may have some responsibility for its popularity. I think they deserve a mention!