I take GREAT Offense to something posted on this site....

[KlubNES]

I know this really sucks, especially being my first post.

I recently registered here and I believe there is a heck of a lot I can learn. BUT, something REALLY needs to be changed...

Cockney Rhyming Slang: 36 entries beginning with 'A'

Abraham Lincoln(UK) Abraham Lincoln = stinking

Why on earth would you use the work 'stinking' to rhyme with Lincoln when you could have easily used 'Thinking'? Wouldn't that be more appropriate for one of the Greatest Presidents of the United States of America?

This is extremely offensive.

Doug Montgomery

 

[Barb_D]

I'm afraid you're expressing your ire to the wrong people. You need to convince the entire population of people who use that slang that it's offensive, and not blame the people who simply let you know what it means. The reason the site didn't use "thinking" is because it does not mean "thinking." It would be like saying "I think when you define 'kick the bucket' you should say it means 'fix the sink.'"

 

[5jj]

something REALLY needs to be changed...

Facts can't be changed just because somebody doesn't like them.

 

[charliedeut]

Hi,

I'm posting a link to another part of this forum for you: https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/175535-everyone-came-out-winner.html.

Just so you can see that we don't hold any particular grudge against Abraham Lincoln.

charliedeut

 

[Tdol]

Why on earth would you use the work 'stinking' to rhyme with Lincoln when you could have easily used 'Thinking'?

It is common to use people's names for rhyming slang- this may not always be polite, but it is what is done. McDonalds complained to the OED about McJobs as they found it offensive, but Oxford refused to remove it as it was simply recording language use. It is not meant as an insult to a great man by recording it, and I doubt that it was meant as such by those who came up with it. We aren't making this slang up - it is in use and this term has been recorded elsewhere with this meaning - changing it to a meaning that isn't used would defeat the purpose of a glossary.

 

[KlubNES]

My apologies for responding so late to this thread and the comments. I have been on a little vacation at Euro Woodstock.

I guess I spoke a little out of line and took things a bit out of context without a clear understanding of the term. I've never been to the UK nor have I ever heard this slang. If it's a common everyday thing for the Brits to refer to and use one of the Greatest American presidents of all time's name in such a way well, 'no comment'.

We know what we know and we are who we are based on 2 things and 2 things only, the people we associate with and the books and/or TV we read and/or watch.

Cheers
Doug

 

[JMurray]

Lillian Gish = fish…? How dare they!

 

[5jj]

Just as famous people may contribute to rhyming slang, they can also be referred to by it. I have heard a certain royal duke* referred to as 'Phil the bubble'. This is because when he originally came to England, he was 'Prince Philip of Greece, so, 'Phil the Greek', 'Phil the bubble and squeak, 'Phil the bubble'.

*His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, Baron Greenwich, Royal Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Member of the Order of Merit, Companion of the Order of Australia, Extra Companion of the Queen's Service Order, Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu, Canadian Forces Decoration, Lord of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, Privy Councillor of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, rhyming slang frequently uses real people's names.

Pete Tong = wrong (Pete Tong is a DJ and quite a well-respected one. No-one is suggesting that there is anything "wrong" with him!)

Hank Marvin = starving (but pronounced starvin'). Again, I don't think anyone is suggesting that the famous guitarist didn't get enough food.

 

[5jj]

A lower second class degree in England, a 2:2 (two two), was referred to at one time as a 'Desmond'.

 

[BobK]

...nor have I ever heard this slang. If it's a common everyday thing for the Brits to refer to and use one of the Greatest American presidents of all time's name in such a way well, 'no comment'.

...

I haven't heard ti either. It's not common, though apparently it's been recorded.

b

 

[BobK]

A lower second class degree in England, a 2:2 (two two), was referred to at one time as a 'Desmond'.

And a third class degree was a Richard.

And while Hank Marvin wasn't notably deprived of food, there is an element of good-natured teasing in this expression, as he's far from well-covered.

b

 

[Tdol]

If it's a common everyday thing for the Brits to refer to and use one of the Greatest American presidents of all time's name in such a way well, 'no comment'.

Cockney rhyming slang is something used in certain areas of London- most British people will not know this term, though some rhyming slang has become part of the wider language, like have a butcher's (meaning have a look, the rhyme being butcher's hook). In most areas of British life, President Lincoln would be treated with respect, but in one small area of slang his name has been used this way. Rhyming slang is irreverent and creative, and the drive of it is meant to be harmless. You can ask for a pint of Nelson (Nelson Mendela = Stella [Artois]) and it's not meant to be rude about another great politician, just cheeky.

Rhyming slang is found in other variants like Australian English.