Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rhyming-slang
noun
/ˈraɪmɪŋ sleɪŋ/
Definition
A form of slang that involves replacing a common word with a phrase that rhymes with it, often comprising two or more words.
Examples
- “Apples and pears” is rhyming slang for “stairs”.
- When someone says they are “in trouble” they might refer to it as “in the bubble” in rhyming slang.
Meaning
Rhyming slang is primarily used in informal contexts and is characterized by its playful and often humorous nature, with the rhyming phrase sometimes not directly indicating the original word.
Synonyms
- playful language
- jargon
- colloquialism
