Re: Conlang Article in the LA Times

That's a term rather similar to "Berk" - which many folks think is based on
a person named "Burke", but it too is rhyming slang,
for "Berkeley Hunt". I won't undignify the list with the word it rhymes
with! Cocknet rhyming slang was especially prevalent in the first
half of C20, but is still alive and kicking, witness such coinages as " 'e's
a right merchant" (Merchant Banker = w***er) or, more
recently but along the same lines, " e's 'avin' a Sherman" (Sherman Tank...)
Mike.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas Koller" <laokou@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: Conlang Article in the LA Times


> From: Lars Finsen <lars.finsen@...>
>
>> There's an interesting word by the way. I know what it means, but why
>> is it called "raspberry sound"?
>
> My dictionary says it's rhyming slang for "raspberry tart" (rhyming with
> "fart"). I didn't think we did that schtick, however amusing, on this side
> of the pond, so who knows the time of the coinage this usage (I'm, sure
> we'll be informed). As an American in his forties, I find it's usually
> referred to as just a "raspberry" (or sometimes a "raz") and less
> frequently these days as a "Bronx cheer."
>
> Kou
>

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