Slang and Slang Use, Feast yer mince pies on this one! Options

[Guest_Jox_*]

Hi,

In another tile, Don and I had a brief discussion on slang (reproduced in the next post in this tile). However, it seems to me that the subject is a very wide one and has big implications for all writers. So what do you think about slang? Do you / would you use it and, if so, when? What are the dangers and advantages of using it?

Please post your thoughts in this tile.

Oh the sub-title?? "mince pies" is Cockney (London) rhyming slang for eyes.

James.

[Guest__*]

Dear Jox,

Cockney rhyming slang was, as you say, designed to defeat "outsiders" to a conversation, but I'm not sure you gave the mechanism of how ?

Nip down the apples and get us a drink. = apples & pears = stairs.

Oi ! Don't fancy his barnet ! = Barnet Fair (Barnet is in north London, I presume has/had an annual Fair) = hair

We jumped in the jam and legged it. Jamjar = car

The meant word always rhymes with the unspoken 2nd word of the phrase which replaces it.

There is a whole Cockney Alphabet which I find very funny.

A for 'orses
B for Tea
C for Thailanders (Seaforth Highkanders = famous Scottish Regiment)
D for dumb (Deaf )
E for Adam (Eve for A)
F for vessence
G for Police
H for Consent
etc etc

I'll go on if anybody wants.

Love
Alan