OWAD’s word on 1^st July was “rabbit on”, offering us to choose among these meanings:

1. To be in a hurry
2. To nibble food
3. To not stop talking

And while, like 38.8% of OWAD‘s followers, I did get the correct answer 1^st time, I was surprised to learn about the origin of this phrase, about which I knew nothing.

Paul, founder of OWAD, tells us that “to rabbit on” was in fact inspired by Cockney rhyming slang. But, unlike “fisherman’s daughter” for “water”, or “loaf of bread” for “head”, the rabbit phrase is one of those where you need to know that “rabbit” is paired with “pork” – from where you get the rhyme with “talk”. In its construction it is comparable to “I am going up the apples” – meaning “I’m going up the stairs”, where “pears” from the common phrase “apples and pairs” provides the cue.

My encounter with rhyming slang dates back to when I first worked in London in the mid 1970s, at a Swiss bank (to remain unnamed, involved in quite a few scandals since then). They had a little old lady taking a tea-trolley round the offices twice or three times a day. She was a cockney and would use rhyming slang, such as “trouble and strife” (for “wife”), or “dog” (for telephone – get it?). I also remember her saying that her “plates of meat” were hurting after pushing the trolley around the building.

Rhyming slang is thought to have originated in the mid-19^th century in London’s East End. Some of the constructions are quite, quite bizarre, such as “Duke of York” for “taking a walk”, or “top of Rome” for “home”. In the 20^th century, celebrities came into it, so we have “Nat King Cole” for “dole”, or “Gregory Peck” for “cheque”, or “Wallace and Gromit” for “vomit”, etc.

Rhyming slang is a kind of argot, i.e. a secret language among “insiders” who are wanting to make their conversations unintelligible to others. Argots are common all around the world, and throughout history. Some of them have their own sounds, grammar and vocabulary, others use regular language, but with new meanings. Some expressions have found their way into common parlance, and this is true of Cockney (rhyming) slang.

Rhyming slang has by no means died out, on the contrary. It has found its way into music and movies. If you’re interested in finding out more, here is an interesting BA thesis by student at the University of Osijek/Croatia.

Many of you no doubt delight in Worldle (which has a place in my heart too), but once again, I urge anyone interested in expanding their vocabulary, or finding out about etymology and usage of words, do look in on OWAD.

It’s free, or you can pay Paul a coffee on a day that you get offered a word that you find particularly alluring. Go here: https://owad.de/contact

Up to you. I’ll stop rabbitting on.