From where did Cockney Rhyming slang come from, and when was it first used?

mochyn

london within the sound of bow bells Jul 17 03, 4:32 PM

elizabethmc

Okay, the first question was obvious. I meant who first used it. Jul 17 03, 4:35 PM

mochyn

pearlie kings and queens who frequented that area Jul 17 03, 4:40 PM

Linus_337

Awight, no cobblers - just run yer minces over this me old china: Many sites (including the one below) put forward the theory that cockney rhyming slang was originated by the criminal fraternity. http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/articles/cockney-rhyming-slang.htm My Dad is a Londoner and I have always understood that rhyming slang was developed by street robbers and pickpockets so that they could plan their devious acts within earshot of their prospective victims without being understood. Jul 18 03, 3:16 PM