Tu cita con el inglés (vol.18) – Cockney rhyming slang

En esta nueva entrega de “Tu cita con el inglés”, el profesor Ronan O’Donnell de A2B English nos habla del slang, la jerga callejera imprescindible para hablar inglés como lo haría un nativo.

Una de las jergas más famosas de Londres es el Cockney rhyming slang, o lo que es lo mismo, la jerga callejera de los habitantes (Cockneys) de los barrios “bajos” de East London (Bethnal Green, Bow, Mile End…) que ahora, curiosamente, se han convertido en la zonas cool y modernas de la ciudad.

En el artículo de Ronan encontraréis algunas de las palabras clásicas de éste y otros slangs de Reino Unido, así como algunos vídeos y actividades que os ayudarán a poner en práctica vuestros nuevos conocimientos.

Disfrutad, aprended y, si el artículo os ha gustado, enviadnos un “gorilla” como agradecimiento… 😉

Would you Adam and Eve it?

Languages are in a constant state of flux and English is no different. We only need to look at all of the new words, meanings and phrases that arrive through circumstances (credit crunch, fiscal cliff), technology (download, tweet, post) and regional language variations to see the many influences on a language. Most students are aware of some of the differences between British and American English but may not be as aware of the differences in spoken language between different regions within the UK. There are many different regional dialects in the UK. One of the most significant bodies of frequently used slang words and expressions is Cockney rhyming slang. There are many others such as Geordie (Newcastle) and Scouse (Liverpool).

Before arriving in London make sure you get familiar with some of the local dialect. How about these to begin with: Brown bread, butchers, dog and bone, trouble and strife, Ruby Murray, China plate. Any idea? I didn’t think so. Match the words to the meanings to see how these words came into being.

1. Brown Bread                       (a) look
2. Butchers                               (b) mate
3. Dog and bone                      (c)  curry
4. Trouble and strife             (d) dead
5. Ruby Murray                      (e) phone
6. China plate                           (f) wife

There are also a number of words used to describe different amounts of money. Why don’t you try some of these at the bureau de change/ currency exchange when you arrive.

Sky diver: Fiver (£5)

Speckled hen: Yes, you guessed it. £10

Monkey: No, you probably didn’t guess it. £500

Gorilla: £1000

Here is a list of some of the more modern rhyming slang. Check on the website link below to find out the meanings and to find out if they are genuine cockney slang or mockney. You can visit the site where all words are rated as Classic (widely used and recognised), Modern (recent additions) or Mockney (fake)

King Lear
Ken Dodd
Shetland Isles
Paul Dickov
Bobby Moore
Al Murray
Plymouth Argylls
Jenson Button
Angela Merkel
Tony Blair

www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk 

Some of the more famous cockney slang speaking characters include Del Boy and Rodney from the comedy series Fools and Horses.

Hear some of Del Boy’s cockney quotes

or listen to this song to hear some of the more common cockney slang expressions