Quote Originally Posted by starbkjrus View Post
Cockney Ryming slang completely baffles me. Bill Bryson was my introduction to it and when explained it makes sense (er...sorta) but never shall I figure it out.
Went shopping with a British acquaintance who mentioned he needed a whistle. Made sense, as he worked with youth soccer. We walked into JCPenney and proceeded to look at suits. On the way out, we walked past a sporting goods display and I said "oh, didn't you want to pick up a whistle?" He laughed and explained "whistle & lute" = suit. . .

Then there's "have a butcher's" which means "have a look" from "butcher's hook." And IIRC apples = stairs, from apples & pears. It goes on and on and on.