THE GREAT MULLARD MAGIC BLOG — DOG AND BONE

Rhyming slang originated in the East End of london during the mid-19th century.  Many erudite philosophers have postulated how how rhyming slang originated with one camp citing origin as a linguistic game among friends  with another suggesting use as a cryptolect developed to confuse non-locals.  Or if in Peckham, to allow traders with yellow three wheelers to talk amongst themselves in marketplaces to facilitate  collusion.  Another theme was that that rhyming slang was invented by Irish immigrants to London so locals wouldn't understand what they were talking about. This colourful patois finds use with radio references too.   I have known...