Cockney Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. If someone says, “He had a big smile across his boat race,” where was the smile?
On his face
On his photograph
On his jacket
On his car
2. At a market stall, a friend says, “Have a butcher’s at this.” What are they asking you to do?
Have a chat
Take a look
Buy some food
Move closer
3. Someone says, “Your dog and bone is ringing.” What should you check?
The front door
Your phone
Your alarm clock
Your bicycle
4. After climbing three flights, Jo says, “Those apples and pears go on forever.” What does “apples and pears” mean?
Shoes
Elevators
Legs
Stairs
5. A colleague asks, “Fancy a Ruby tonight?” What meal are they suggesting?
Roast dinner
Fish and chips
Pie and mash
Curry
6. Before a photograph, Lee says, “Give me a moment to fix my Barnet.” What is Lee adjusting?
Hair
Clothing
Glasses
Shoes
7. After a long walk, someone says, “My plates are aching.” Which body part hurts?
Back
Knees
Feet
Shoulders
8. Someone says, “Stop talking with your north and south full.” What does “north and south” mean?
Mouth
Hands
Pockets
Ears
9. Which statement gives the traditional definition of a Cockney?
Someone born anywhere in Greater London
Someone born within the sound of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow
Someone whose family has always lived south of the Thames
Anyone who regularly uses London slang
10. At the dentist, a patient says, “One of my Hampsteads is giving me trouble.” What do they mean?
Their gums
Their jaw
One of their teeth
One of their fillings
11. A friend cannot solve a simple puzzle, so you say, “Use your loaf!” What are you telling them to use?
Head
Money
Hands
Patience
12. Why might a Cockney speaker say “apples” for stairs rather than the full phrase “apples and pears”?
The first word alone rhymes with “stairs”
The phrase changes meaning when spoken in full
The rhyming word is often omitted in everyday use
Only plural objects can be shortened this way
13. In the question “Would you Adam and Eve it?”, what does “Adam and Eve” replace?
Remember
Believe
Expect
Repeat
14. When a host offers you a cup of “Rosie Lee,” what are they serving?
Coffee
Cocoa
Lemonade
Tea
15. If a speaker accuses someone of “telling porkies,” what are they accusing them of doing?
Complaining
Showing off
Making jokes
Telling lies
16. In traditional Cockney rhyming slang, what does “trouble and strife” mean?
Boss
Neighbor
Wife
Child