The origin of the famous slang is unknown but has been around for at least two centuries. The most famous theory is Cockney Rhyming was developed by the London underworld as a form of code to speak by so police informers could not understand what they were saying. This theory is almost certainly wrong.
(1) Most Rhyming slang works like this. A word is given a two word rhyme.
EG: Wife = Trouble and Strife.
The second word is the rhyme but only the first word is spoken. So ‘Trouble’ means ‘Wife.’
‘Here comes Trouble,’ means, ‘here comes the Wife.’
Simple, here are few more examples.
Talk = Rabbit and Pork..... EG: “shut your rabbit.”
Piss = Gypsy's Kiss.... EG: “going for a gypsy’s.”
Lies = Porkie Pies..... EG: “he’s tellin porkies”
Nipple = Raspberry Ripple..... EG; “she’s got nice raspberries”
(2) Sometimes both rhyme words are used. Bollocks = Jackson Pollock's..... EG: “A load of Jackson Pollocks”
Merchant Banker = w**ker..... EG: “he’s a right merchant banker”
Vomit = Wallace and Gromit
Dead =Brown Bread
(3) Some rhymes can be complex plays on other rhymes or slang words.Dough = Bread = Bread and Honey = Money
Aris = Aristotle = bottle = bottle and glass = arse
Sweeny = Sweeny Todd = Flying Squad = Police
(4) Some cockney words have found there way into the English language and their rhyming Slang origins forgotten by most.Regular English words such as Scarper (run), Cobblers (balls), Bread (money), Berk (fool), Loaf (head), Jack (alone) all originated from cockney rhyme.
When someone scarpers from the scene of the crime it is actually a reference to the naval base at Scapa Flow. When someone shouts cobblers meaning rubbish, it comes from the cockney cobblers awl’s. A berk is derived from the Berkshire Hunt and few people comprehend what they are really meaning when they call someone a berk.
(5) Cockney Rhymes as you have probably noticed are generally both misogynistic and satirical. Most of the rhymes were invented in the 19th and early twentieth century, so most of the satire and etymology has been lost, however a few meaning are known.“On me Jack” means alone from the rhyme Jack Jones. Jack Jones was a 1920’s singer who sang a song about a guy who got rich and alienated all his friends.
Loaf of bread for head is believed to be a reference to the Descartes insult, “go bake your head”.
Thrupenny Bits = Tits is believed to be a prostitution reference.
(6) Making up new slang. Cockney is an evolving language and old rhymes are forgotten new slang is made up regularly. The most popular and quickly changing are reference to famous people.
An example is the word “sh*t” which a hundred years ago would have been William Pitt, in the sixties became Eartha Kitt and currently is Brad Pitt.
(7) My ears are ringingFinally how to know if a Cockney on this forum is talking about you.
Pakistani = Bacon Sarnie (sarnie = sandwich)
Yank = Septic Tank
Jock = Sweaty Sock
Manc = Strawberry = Strawberry Split = Mancky Git (Manc = from Manchester)
Greek = Bubble and Squeak
Yid = Four Wheel Skid
Mickey Mouse = Scouse (scouser from Liverpool)
Short & stout = Kraut (kraut = german)
Deisel Engine = Injun (both east and west)
Captain Kirk = Turk
Some dictionarieshttp://www.thecockney.btinternet.co.uk/cockney3.htmhttp://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/http://www.aldertons.com/english-.htmhttp://www.londonslang.com/db/just_heard/http://www.phespirit.info/cockney/