Dictionary of Rhyming Slang — review

Would you know what to do if you were left on your Jack Jones for a day with the saucepan lids? Rhyming slang originated in early nineteenth century London. Everyone knows that apples and pears = 'stairs', and whistle and flute = 'suit'. Here's how the system works. The rhyming word is the second of a pair, and the connection is not always obvious - as in Derby Kelly = 'stomach' (belly). But usage is made more complicated by the fact that it is the first, non-rhyming word which is spoken - so you go up the apples to bed, not the pears ... Read more >>

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