middle-class rhyming slang: Council Tax Band: GRAND (£1000)

How much is this lot going to set us back, darling?

The farmer quoted me five Council for four of them plus fence-posts, razor-wire and a drinking trough.

Five Council… are you really sure you want to go ahead with this, honey?

I'm as apprehensive as you are, darling, but if those ostentatious come-lately Islington bastards on the other side of the village green will keep banging on about their bloody peacocks, I'm having ostriches. Besides - they'll be excellent playmates for Elsie when she starts toddling.

What is Middle-Class Rhyming Slang?

Middle-Class Rhyming Slang is a secret language, believed to have developed in the mid-19th century by couples viewing suburban properties. By hiding their communications in rhyming code, prospective buyers could discuss the merits of a property without the estate agent hearing. The slang grew from these humble beginnings to cover other aspects of life such as commuting and going to the garden centre. And just as the users of the more famous Cockney rhyming slang are born within earshot of London’s Bow Bells, a bona fide user of Middle-Class Rhyming Slang must live within earshot of a TV that regularly plays the dada, dada, dada-dada bit of ‘Countdown’. I was fortunate enough to live in Muswell Hill for several years and sometimes heard the language on a daily basis. I have made the decision to record it here as a resource for future generations.

middle-class rhyming slang

Council Tax Band: GRAND (£1000)

"Nursery places - GO!"

What is Middle-Class Rhyming Slang?

Slang Loft (just converted!)

Some absolutely Isuzu links...