"Bobs Your Uncle"

Meaning:

A job well done or a successful action.

Origin:

The term Bobs your Uncle dates back to 1887 when Robert Cecil ( Lord Sailsbury) was elected as the British Prime Minister. After being elected Lord Sailsbury appointed Arthur Balfour to the prestegious post of Cheif Secutary of Ireland.

The British public knew Lord Sailsbury was better know by Arthur Balfour as "Uncle Bob". After Belfours appointment by what was blatantly nepotism, the term "Bobs your Uncle" became a sarcastic saying/comment which was applied to any situation determined by favouratism. As time went on and the tale got forgotten, "Bobs your Uncle" got used as a synonym for job done/no problem.

Below Left: Robert Cecil (Lord Sailsbury) Below Right: Arthur Balfour

"One for the Road"

Meaning:

Last drink before I leave.

Origin:

The origin of 'one for the road' comes from the middle ages and medieval period. The phrase started in London with the criminals who were condemned to hang, on the day of their hanging they were taken to Tyburn hill for execution. On the way they stopped at a local inn situated on the road and were allowed 'one' drink. The 'one' drink that the ciminals were drinking was for the road to death.

Below: Tyburn Inn Public Execution

"On The Wagon"

Meaning:

Driver of a vehicle is avoiding alchohol

Origin:

Back in the middle ages and medieval age, when the condemned were on their way to hang and stopped for their last drink (see 'One for the Road'), the driver of the prison wagon would say "I'm on the wagon". This had the same meaning then as today.

Below: A Prison Wagon

"That's Just Not Cricket"

Meaning:

When someone asks you to do something or something happens to you that you think is not fair.

Origin:

This originated within the game of cricket. In February 1st 1981, Australia played New Zealand in the World Series Cup. In the final over Trevor Chappell was bowling for Australia against New Zealands, who needed 6 runs off the last ball to tie the match when Chappell controversially bowled an underarm bowl making it impossible for the New Zealands batsman to hit a 6. This was dubbed "the most disgraceful moment in cricket" and the term "It's just not cricket" certainly applied here.

Below: Trevor Chappell's Underarm Bowl

"Talk the Hind Legs of a Donkey"

Meaning:

A person that talks a lot.

Use:

If a person was talking excessively, you could say "they could talk the hind legs of a donkey". Be careful saying this to somebody as it could be taken as an insult if you do not know the person very well. It is mostly said as a joke.

Below: Hind (back) legs of a donkey.

"Burning the Candle at Both Ends"

Meaning:

Working very hard, for long periods of time without any rest

Origin:

Originally used by the French, it goes back to the 17th century in England and originally meant "to waste material wealth or to use a candle wastefully". People who used to light their homes and offices by candle would be said to be "burning the candle and both ends" if they were wasting it. After time, the phrase was used in more of a modern term meaning "wasting ones strength" or "working very hard with no rest".

Below: A candle burning at both ends

A bit of "Cockney Rhyming Slang"

It was during the 1700's that the term Cockney or Cokeney was first founded. It was applied to people who lived in towns who were considered to be ignorant to the established customs and country ways. After time this term then became a synonym for a working class Londoner, and today after more time it has lost its degrading meaning and now just refers to being a Londoner to many. It is also said that to be a Cockney who must have been born at in London at the same time as the church bells sound.

Cockney rhyming slang is believed to become more prominent across London during the mid 1800's and was mostly used by the underworld. The underworld of London was all the thieves and criminals and they would use this language as a code against the police -"the Peelers". It was a way for criminals to talk about illegal activity without everyone else understanding. It was also suggested that this was the common tongue of street traders, wheeler dealers.

When people use Cockney rhyming slang they often just use the first word to imply the rhyme, for example in "apples and pears- meaning stairs" they would just say, "up the apples". Below are a few example:

Cockney Slang - Today's Meaning

"Apple and Pears" - Stairs
"Dog and Bone" - Phone
"Hank Marvin" - Starving
"Butcher's Hook" - Look
"China Plate" - Mate
"Whistle and Flute" - Suit
"Trouble and Strife" - Wife

Below: Apple and Pears (Stairs)

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