What Is Money Rhyming Slang
Money rhyming slang is a form of English slang where a common word for money is replaced by a rhyming phrase. The rhyming part is often dropped, leaving only the first word as the term. It originated in Cockney speech in East London and spread through British culture.
Common Money Rhyming Slang Terms
Well-known examples include "carpet" for three pounds, derived from "carpet bag," and "bullseye" for fifty pounds, from "bullseye and wife." "Lady Godiva" refers to five pounds, while "bag of soil" stands for a hundred pounds, short for "bag of soil from the garden."
Origins and Usage
Historians link the rise of rhyming slang to the East End of London in the early 19th century. It was used to confuse outsiders while allowing speakers to identify each other. The practice appears in dictionaries of British slang and is documented by language researchers on sites such as British Slang. Today, some terms remain in casual use across the UK.
