Interesting word history

[weaktwos]

Bronx cheer (brongks cheer) noun

1. A rude sound indicating disapproval, made by sticking tongue partly out
between the lips and blowing air out, in a simulation of flatulence.

2. Any expression of derision or contempt.

[Probably after Bronx, NY, the home of Yankee Stadium, where Yankees fans often expressed their opinion of the umpire's decision or an unfavorable play that way.]

Bronx cheer has a rather unusual synonym: raspberry. How in the world could a sound like that come to be known as a raspberry? To learn this we take a peek at the fascinating working of rhyming slang. "Raspberry tart" was used as a code for "fart" and then the rhyming part was dropped. Other examples of rhyming slang are "butchers" for "look", as in "Take a butchers at this!" (from butcher's hook); "apples" for "stairs" (from apples and pears); china for mate (from china plate). Best-known rhyming slang was used by generations of London Cockneys, but similar rhyming slang is found in many other parts of the world. -Anu

Comments

[knowbuddy.livejournal.com]

In case you didn't catch it, there's a 5-minute bit with rhyming slang in Austin Powers in Goldmember between Mike Myers and Michael Caine (Austin and his dad). The scene in the film was cut down quite a bit, but the DVD has an extended version.