Referring to the London County Council's notice to the effect that a bell was rung and the gates locked at dusk. 'In and out' (snout)Īs in the nose through which people both inhale and exhale. Referring to the speed required to run to such a refuge and the fact they were often underground. Cake also means money, as in 'a cake of notes' that also needs to be given and taken. 'Give and take' (cake)Īs no cake can be eaten that has not been given (by a shopkeeper) and taken. 'Gay and hearty' (a party)ĭescribing how a social get-together should be. 'Fisherman's daughter' (water)Īs water is part of the fisherman's landscape. 'Early hours' (flowers)Īs flower buyers have to keep very early hours to buy their produce at Covent Garden flower market. Used when children have created a huge amount of mess. 'Duck and dive' (hide)Ī duck when diving is hidden beneath the pond's surface and to duck is to avoid a blow by a quick dropping movement. Short for the cigarette Woodbines which indirectly played their part in the victory of the first world war. Based on the imploring of ladies who, when asked to 'have another', replied that they 'didn't ought'. Referring not just to the famous London store, but to 'derry' as to 'have a derry on' meaning to dislike, referring to 'down on', meaning prejudiced against, from Derry Down in Ireland. 'Day's a-dawning' (morning)Ī term often used by people working at nighttime. Many imported safety matches were of poor quality and often failed to ignite when scratched against the side of the box. 'Cut and carried' (married)Īpplying only to the wife who is cut off from the parental support and carried (provided for) by her husband. Which was often stolen during packed railway stations in the holiday season. Suggested by the effect of a flower pot dropped from a window above on to someone below. 'Collar and cuff' (puff)Īn effeminate man, suggestive either by their neatness of dress, or by 'powder puff'. Sometimes known as 'Doggett's' as watermen who possessed the Doggett Coat and Badge could charge higher fares than those without. Since both coal and coke used to be supplied in large blocks that had to be broken down before their use. Influenced by the extreme displays that adolescents are inclined to perform on a bicycle, especially when showing off. Since people sentenced to that 19th century punishment could not keep still for a second.

'Box of toys' (noise)Īs a box of toys, particularly a new one given as a present at Christmas time, causes a great deal of noise to be made. There are a possible pair of inferences: to bottle meaning to enclose and a stopper meaning one who holds another back from a course of action. 'Borrow and beg' (egg)Ī term that enjoyed a fresh lease of life during the second world war and the food-rationing period.

'Bees and honey' (money)Īs bees are the epitome of work, work produces money, the possession of which is sweet. Suggestive of the softness of the foods on which babies are fed. 'Army and navy' (gravy)Īs gravy was plentiful at mealtimes in both services. Apples and pears, when in season, are common on each barrow and, when polished, create an arresting display. The selected samples of fruit and vegetables are expertly graded in 'steps and stairs'. Every good costermonger has skill in displaying the front of his stall. To the Cockney, the phrase 'steps and stairs' describes the idea of gradation.

Funny short phrases that rhyme