Рифмованный сленг кокни и антропонимичные элементы.
Привалова Н.С.
The article is about cockney rhyming slang with elements of anthroponyps. A number of examples are introduced here and some facts which prove that Cockney rhyming slang is alive and new phrases entering the lexicon all the time. Ниже приведенная статья приводит обзор единиц рифмованного сленга кокни с антропонимичными элементами. Также предоставляется ряд современных примеров и доказательства актуальности исследования в этой области.
Cockney rhyming slang, anthroponyms, rhyming substitution. Рифмованный сленг кокни, антропонимы, рифмующийся сцбститут.
Cockney rhyming slang is a form of English slang which originated in the East End of London. Rhyming slang has the effect of obscuring the meaning of what is said from outsiders. It is not clear whether this is intentional, to hide one's meaning from the law, or to exclude outsiders, or whether it is just a form of group bonding. The way rhyming slang works does tend to exclude those not 'in the know', as the substitution of one word for another often relies on reference to a key phrase, which, for the slang to be understood, must be known jointly by those communicating. Usually, rhyming slang consists of replacing a word or phrase with another that rhymes with it. To make it more confusing, the rhyme may be hidden, so that there is no obvious link between the slang term and the original word or phrase. For example:
use your loaf (loaf of bread = head);
have a butcher’s (butcher’s hook = look);
cobblers – rubbish (cobbler’s awls = balls);
porkies (pork pies = lies);
donkeys (donkeys’ ears = years).
No one is quite sure where the slang originates. Some speculate that it was designed to help thieves speak without being understood by others after a crackdown on crime in the heart of London. Others suggest that market traders created the slang so they could discuss matters among themselves while securing a good deal from their customers. What is known is that Cockney rhyming slang is alive and well, with new phrases entering the lexicon all the time. One of the sources and spreaders is television, it has raised awareness of Cockney Rhyming Slang to far greater heights. Classic TV shows such as "Steptoe and Son", "Minder", "Porridge" and "Only Fools and Horses" have done much to spread the slang throughout Britain and to the rest of the world. Of course, Cockney Rhyming Slang may have had its highs and lows but today it is in use as never before. In the last few years hundreds of brand new slang expressions have been invented - many betraying their modern roots, e.g.: "Emma Freuds: hemorrhoids"; (Emma Freud is a TV and radio broadcaster) and "Ayrton Senna": tenner (10 pound note). As we see, modern Cockney rhyming slang that is being developed today tends to only rhyme words with the names of celebrities or famous people. Units of rhyming slang are used in speech in order to make it more emphatic and colorful and to make common speech sound attractive and original. It is very easy to express irony in a statement if it cintains units of cockney rhyming slang, especially with elements of anthroponyms. It means that the rhyming substitute is a proper of some celebrity. Anthroponyms in the units of rhyming slang are usually found in fiction or among proper names of authors. For example:
1) Artful Dodger (He is a character in the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist.) = lodger: Have you got an Artful Dodger living with you? ; 2) Arthur Conan Doyle – boil: Clive, get that kettle on the arthur!; 3) Peter Pan – 1) old man (father); 2) tan: How's your peter pan? We can also find anthroponyms in the units of rhyming slang in the sphere of show business. Moreover, in some cases we can trace the associative bond. For example: 1) Alexei Sayle – email (It is known that he has internet dependence and we may suppose that it was the reason of such an associative bond.): Send us an Alexei Sayle later on with the details.; 2) Austin Power – shower: Just jumping in the Austin. ; 3) Benny Hills - pills. (The associative bond is based on his drag dependence.): I'm gonna get Benny'd up.; 4) Hugo Boss – doss: Let’s Hugo Boss school.; Names of politicians are very popular among rhyming slang users. For example: 1) Abraham Lincoln – stinking: There's a dead cat in the garden and it's Abraham Lincoln!; 2) Mahatma Ghandi – brandy: Mahatma and coke please.; 3) William Pitt – shit: I’m off for a william pitt.; 4) Saddam Hussein – 1) insane; 2) pain: 1) You must be saddam hussein.; 2) He is a right saddam hussein.; 5) Osama Bin Laden –1) pardon; 2) garden: 1) Beg your osama.; 2) Look at the mess of my osama.; 6) John Major – 1) pager; 2) wager: Care to put a little john major on that?. Nowadays the way you speak plays a great role, especially if you are a public person. You speech should be expressive, beautiful, with a touch of humour and convincing. All these are found in rhyming slang with elements of anthroponyms and it makes cockney rhyming slang be actual and interesting to research.
