This is the one the kids always get wrong in the end of year exams. As I have no idea where the derivative comes from I looked this up, no one else seems to know either! One source gives its earliest reference as being in 1979, I know it was in use before then.
Germans = German bands = hands.
What 'German bands' refers to is anyone's guess, rhyming slang tends not to be something completely randomly made up, so it probably refers to something that was in more common use. The internet seems to want to show me pictures of Kraftwerk, so no help at all.
I'm open to suggestions for the etymology...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Confusion 3: The British weather, sunglasses or umbrella?
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| Some days, you just don't know whether to go for sunglasses or an umbrella, not sure if this store were being helpful or not |
Finding a bargain:1 80p each or 2 for £2.50
Not every bargain is what it seems
From Sainsbury's in March 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
When you're feeling lonely and you can't find romance, jump into a dustbin and dance
Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers
Cockney Rhyming Slang - Half inch
Even in rhyming slang most Brits haven't quite gone metric. 1.27cm just doesn't mean anything, no one has ever 1.27centimetred a mars bar from the corner shop, a few have probably half inched one.
Yes, "half inch" is rhyming slang for pinch and generally meaning to steal.
I don't know why half inch became the unit of inch to pinch with, as opposed to a quarter, an eighth or even a whole inch, only half inching counts!
Yes, "half inch" is rhyming slang for pinch and generally meaning to steal.
I don't know why half inch became the unit of inch to pinch with, as opposed to a quarter, an eighth or even a whole inch, only half inching counts!
Cockney Rhyming Slang - Teletubby
So a little more up to date for this bit of rhyming slang, I must admit I've never heard anyone use this expression, but have seen it written down and it deserves to be used more often.
Teletubby is used for the much loved family member, the hubby!
I personally think Tinky Winky would make the best husband, Po is too immature and Dipsy and Laa Laa, well their names speak volumes.
Here they are conquering New York one of the few places in the world where they just blend in.
So how would one use this bit of rhyming slang in a sentence?
"some teletubbies have no idea where the vacuum cleaner is, but I use our's all the time and I even call it Noo Noo!"
Other children's characters that have been introduced into the lexicon of rhyming slang include Popeye, Kermit The Frog, Willy Wonka, Pinky & Perkie, Mickey Mouse, George & Zippy and many more, many I'll feature along the way.
Teletubby is used for the much loved family member, the hubby!
I personally think Tinky Winky would make the best husband, Po is too immature and Dipsy and Laa Laa, well their names speak volumes.
Here they are conquering New York one of the few places in the world where they just blend in.
"some teletubbies have no idea where the vacuum cleaner is, but I use our's all the time and I even call it Noo Noo!"
Other children's characters that have been introduced into the lexicon of rhyming slang include Popeye, Kermit The Frog, Willy Wonka, Pinky & Perkie, Mickey Mouse, George & Zippy and many more, many I'll feature along the way.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Cockney rhyming slang - skin & blister with added Morecambe & wise & Leonard Rossiter
So the Cockneys seemingly aren't overly affectionate with their sisters if they refer to them as "skin & blister", but that's obviously not the case as any follower of Eastenders will know those Cockneys love all their family, sisters included.
Anyway as an extra reason to be cheerful, here is Morecambe & Wise with Leonard Rossiter performing "Sisters"
Anyway as an extra reason to be cheerful, here is Morecambe & Wise with Leonard Rossiter performing "Sisters"
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