That is the view of one artist, who wants to reintroduce the dialect to a new generation of Londoners and international visitors by drawing attention to its creative nature.
Michael Landy's Lemon Meringue, which has been installed in London's East Bank, consists of a series of large fluorescent signs depicting different cockney rhyming slang - rhyming phrases used to replace everyday terms.
The installation includes phrases such as apples and pears (stairs), S Club Seven (heaven), duck and dive (hide), April showers (flowers) and dog and bone (phone), as well as newer additions to the dialect such as chicken jalfrezi (crazy) that speak to more recent diasporic influences on the area.
"The Museum of London asked people whether they had ever heard of cockney rhyming slang, and a lot of people hadn't," Landy said of his inspiration.
"And the ones that did said it would be an awful shame if it died out completely because it's part of east London's identity. Cockney slang was first chronicled in 1857, but it obviously existed verbally before that too."
A number of surveys have shown the vast majority of Londoners are unaware of the meaning of phrases that were in common use just a generation ago.
This story is from the June 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sabalenka leads exodus amid injuries and upsets
One big withdrawal could be regarded as unfortunate for a tournament, two a bit of a fluke.
France do it again as deflected strike sees off Belgium
Four games into Euro 2024, no France player has found the net from open play but here they are, unbeaten and into the quarter-finals, the tournament favourites progressing thanks to another strike from their top scorer: own goal.
‘Wait this monster out’: Hurricane Beryl warning in Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl has made landfall on the Caribbean island of Carriacou after becoming the earliest storm of its strength to form in the Atlantic, fuelled by record warm waters.
Gaza hospital head says he was tortured during months of Israeli detention
The head of Gaza's biggest hospital has accused Israel of torturing him and other detainees, following his release after seven months in Israeli detention facilities.
Shows of loyalty and damage control, but Democrats are jostling for position
With the White House scrambling to prevent Joe Biden's candidacy entering a full-blown crisis, several state governors were said to be subtly positioning themselves as late substitutes - while avoiding being seen to do so.
French parties scramble to strike voting pacts to keep out far right
France's left and centrist parties are scrambling to cobble together a united front after Marine Le Pen's resounding victory in the first round of snap parliamentary elections on Sunday brought her far-right, antiimmigration party a step closer to power.
Moths attract following as importance comes to light
Everyone loves bees and butterflies, but now moths are finally getting their chance to be in the spotlight.
Migrant nurse in line for £13,000 payout in unfair dismissal case
A migrant nurse could be eligible for a significant payout from a British healthcare company after an employment judge ruled he was likely to win his case for unfair dismissal, in a judgment that could pave the way for dozens of other such cases.
Brain-controlled bionic leg helps amputees to walk and climb stairs
A brain-controlled bionic leg has allowed people with amputations to walk more quickly and navigate stairs and obstacles more easily ina groundbreaking trial.
Murray fans happy to queue despite risk he may not play
Andy Murray had yet to decide if he was fit enough to play at Wimbledon, but fans were still queueing for the chance to see the Scot play in what could be his last singles game at SW19.
