LL-L "Expressions" 2002.02.12 (01) [E]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 12.FEB.2002 (01) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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From: AEDUIN at aol.com
Subject: LL-L "Expressions" 2002.02.11 (02) [E]

In a message dated 12/02/02 00:35:19 GMT Standard Time, sassisch at yahoo.com
writes:

   Thanks for the explanation above, Aviad.  That's a good one!  So, if it
   is factual, "nitty-gritty" started as a rhyming slang expression.  Of
   course, many of us are familiar with this particular type of device in
   Cockney English (a London sociolect) with some "spill-over" into
   Australian English, e.g., "trouble and strife" = 'wife,' "drink o'
   drear" = 'beer'.  However, this is the first time I have come across
   such an expression that is supposed to be of American origin.  I have to
   confess that I'm still a wee bit suspicious.

Just a point of fact. The whole thing about rhyming slang is that the rhyming
part is not said. This is a basic error made when talking about
rhyming slang. For example, "stairs" in rhyming slang is not "apples and
pears" it is "apples" with both speakers knowing that the word "pears" is
implied and it is that word that rhymes. One combs one's "barnet" not one's
"barnet fair". Nitty-gritty would be nonsense in rhyming slang terms.

Regards

Edwin Deady

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Expressions

Thanks for the clarification (above), Edwin.

Are you sure that implication of that sort is an absolute requirement for
rhyming slang and that saying the full thing does not qualify?  Could not what
you described be merely a further development to the jargon stage?  Do those
who use the shortened versions (which according to your explanation is always)
actually know the origin of each substitute word, e.g., that "apples" for
"stairs" is shortened for "apples and pears," i.e., that "pears" is implied?
If you do not to ever mention the implied component, how is one to know it?
Are initiates taught the whole expression first and then use it as a mnemonic
device?  Or does it not matter, i.e., "apples" stands for "stairs," and that's
that; only some people know the origin?

I understand that, while the origin of this particular slang is uncertain,
some believe that it originated in prisons, namely as a secret jargon among
inmates to keep the wardens and guards out of the loop, or as an underworld
jargon to communicate without the police and potential (non-criminal) victims
understanding.  In other words, according to this theory (as I understand it)
this slang is the English counterpart of the now extinct Rotwelsch in
German-speaking areas.  (Rotwelsch is a mixture of all sorts of lexical
replacements and Germanized Yiddish and Romani words used among criminals and
other marginal social groups.)  If this were factual, then it certainly would
lend credence to the statement that only implying the last word is an absolute
requirement.

By the way, there is an actual Cockney rhyming slang dictionary online:
http://www.bio.nrc.ca/cockney/

Thanks again and regards,
Reinhard/Ron

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