Michael was heavy drinker

[emsr2d2]

It's not new in the UK. We also have ducks and drakes as rhyming slang for the shakes.

We do?! :shock: Ah, another bit of rhyming slang I've never heard!

 

[teechar]

We also have ducks and drakes as rhyming slang for the shakes.

A quick look on Google tells me that "Joe Blakes" and "currant cakes" are also used for that. I love rhyming slang and I'm sorry to say that it seems to be dying out.

 

[Tdol]

It is sad. There's still a fair bit using names of people - Nelson (Mandela) for Stella - but it is losing ground. The inventiveness of it is wonderful. Currant cakes was new to me.

 

[emsr2d2]

There are a few examples of rhyming slang still used by members of my family to this day. I certainly say "Give us a butcher's" for "Can I have a look?" (Butcher's hook = look). I occasionally still say "I'm going up the apples" (apples and pears = stairs) and regularly "You're having a giraffe!" (giraffe = laugh)

 

[Tdol]

It's still in use, but has seen its glory days.

 

[Rover_KE]

... Nelson (Mandela) for Stella ...

I assume that's Stella Artois lager.

'A pint of Nelson, please, guv.'