A new online quiz is challenging Brits to prove their mastery of classic Cockney rhyming slang, but experts warn that achieving a perfect score is far from easy.
What Makes a True Cockney?
The quiz is aimed at those familiar with the unique linguistic tradition born in London's East End. A true Cockney was traditionally defined as someone born within earshot of the Bow Bells of St Mary-le-Bow church in Cheapside. This area encompasses much of what is now Tower Hamlets. However, with modern London's constant traffic noise, the reach of the bells is not what it once was, making the old definition harder to fulfil.
The Ultimate Slang Challenge
The quiz poses a series of questions designed to separate the genuine experts from the novices. Participants must decipher phrases like "apples and pears" for stairs and "bees and honey" for money. It asks the value of a "speckled hen" (ten) and the identity of the mysterious "Mickey Bliss".
For anyone who isn't a born-and-bred East Ender, finding all the correct answers is expected to be a significant challenge. The quiz creators suggest that getting full marks will be anything but "lemon squeezy".
Test Your Knowledge Today
The interactive quiz is available to take online now. If you cannot see the quiz widget on your device, you are prompted to click a link to open it in a new browser tab. After completing the test, readers are encouraged to share their results in the comments section to compare their slang prowess with others.
The article and quiz were published online on January 1, 2026, at 05:00, by journalists Jason Rushworth and Alya Zayed, who is the Executive Editor.
