Kettle and hob = watch This is a confusing phrase as it doesn’t rhyme with its modern-day meaning. The term means watch, which stemmed from a ‘fob’ watch which was a pocket watch attached to the body with a small chain. The kettle used to boil on the hob of a stove… hence the rhyme.
Why are watches sometimes called kettles?
When pocket watches first became fashionable, they were held against the body by use of a small chain. The watch then slipped into the pocket and could be easily extracted without dropping it. These were called fob watches, and it’s from this expression that we get Kettle and Hob for watch.
Why do Cockneys call a house a drum?
Drum and Bass is Cockney slang for Place.
The word drum was originally used to describe a room or prison cell or even a road. It then became confined to only mean the home. Finally this was rhymed with Drum and Bass giving its modern interpretation.
Why do Cockneys call a house a gaff?
This comes almost certainly from the use of gaff in the eighteenth-century to mean a fair, and later a cheap music-hall or theatre (as in the famous penny gaff). Again, this probably comes from a Romany word, this time for a town, especially a country town that holds a regular market, where such a fair might be held.
Why do Cockneys call a Cheque a kite?
Kite: originally meant a worthless bill or cheque. Hence you would say “I am going to fly a kite” means you are going to pass a bad cheque. The word seems to now mean any cheque (bad or not).
What do British call a kettle?
British people are more likely to use the word teapot than teakettle, but as others have mentioned these words refer to different objects. A Kettle is used to heat water.
Are kettles a UK thing?
Americans don’t use electric kettles — or at least it’s very rare. This is unlike Britain, where electric kettles are standard for boiling water.
What is fart in Cockney?
The term “raspberry” derives from the Cockney rhyming slang “raspberry tart” for “fart” (that is, “blowing a fart”).
What is toilet in Cockney?
Khazi. Another slightly dated alternative word to the toilet, ‘khazi’ (also spelt karzy, kharsie or carzey) is derived from the low Cockney word ‘carsey’, meaning a privy. It has its roots in the nineteenth century, but gained popular usage during the twentieth century.
What do Cockneys call police?
Bluebottle – The police from Cockney Slang.
Why is a walk called a Toby?
“”Toby” means “road” in this context, but it isn’t rhyming slang. It seems to come from about 1811. It is derived from the language of Irish travellers who use the word “tober” to mean road. Another related expression is the toby meaning highway robbery.
What is a Tom in Cockney?
Sweetheart -> Jam Tart -> Tom’s tart -> Toms. Jam tart originally meaning an attractive woman. Tart became slang for promiscuous girl -> prostitute. And tom came from tomcat.
What is a lemon in Cockney?
Etymology. “Do me a favour” (rhyming with “lemon flavour”) in Cockney rhyming slang.
How do you say Girl in Cockney?
Twist and Twirl is Cockney slang for Girl.
What is teeth in Cockney?
Hampstead Heath is Cockney slang for Teeth.
Normally shortened to Hampsteads (or sometimes even Hamps).
What do the British call a fridge?
Traffic Words, Other Common Words in the US
| American English word | British English equivalent |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Fridge |
| Sneakers | Tennis Shoe / Sports Shoe |
| Tortilla | |
| Bubbler | Drinker Water Fountain |
What do the Brits call a vacuum?
Hoover
Hoover. (verb/noun) synonym: to vacuum/vacuum cleaner.
What do Londoners call potato chips?
In the UK, the thin round slices of fried potato that come in packets are called crisps, while in the US these are called chips.
What is a kettle called in America?
In the United States, an electric kettle may sometimes be referred to as a hot pot.
Do all Americans have kettles?
For many of us in the UK and other parts of the world, having an electric kettle plugged in in the kitchen is a part of everyday life. But for people in America, it’s unusual to make use of a kettle – and the cultural difference has left many people baffled.
Do Brits use microwaves?
Most UK homes have microwaves, but usage has increase significantly in the last 20-25 years. In 1994-95, only about 67% of UK homes had microwaves.