Costermongers and backslang

 

Costermongers and backslang

All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

I mentioned backslang in a previous post. The London costermongers of the early 19th century invented it as a private means of communicating with each other. It is still used in prisons today and, bizarrely, by tennis players. In 2010, two English players used it for privacy on foreign courts.

Basically, in English, it is created by taking a word and saying it backwards, thus, boy becomes yob. In Victorian times a yob was not an uncouth youth as is implied now, but simply, a boy. Monosyllabic words are quite easy and not all words are reversed. Some are reversed and have attachments. Sometimes the words would be reversed according to their spelling rather than their sound, so knife, which might be expected to become ‘fine’, was actually ‘eefink’. You can read more about it here.

Costermongers were working the streets in London from the 1400s but the name first appeared in the 1500s. The word costermonger comes from ‘costard’, an apple from mediaeval times, and ‘monger’, a trader. The term ‘Costermonger’ eventually developed to cover anyone in the street trading in fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and meat, flowers and herbs, brooms, mats, coal, matches and many other commodities from barrows, wheelbarrows, carts and baskets. There is more information here though it's quite dated.

There were many attempts to clear the streets of the costermongers during the reigns of Elizabeth I, Charles I and Victoria. They all failed. They were a loud and colourful part of life, in large cities across Europe as well as London. They cried their wares . . . ‘Two bunches a penny, primroses, Two bunches a penny!’, ‘Rabbit, rabbit! Nice fat rabbit!’, ‘Strawberries. All ripe! All ripe!’

They looked after their own and each other, worked hard and showed no political or religious allegiance. It was a hard life and every penny was hard-earned. With the advent of high street retailers, the costermongers’ presence declined. Now they are represented by the Pearly Kings and Queens and applauded for their charitable work. 

Traditional pursuits in September – part 2

 

 Traditional pursuits in September – part 2

All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Parading to St Mary-le-Bow

The Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival will be held this year on Sunday 24^th September in the Guildhall Yard in the City of London. It starts at 1:30 and attendance is free. There is lots of entertainment – Morris dancers and maypole dancing have featured in the past. This event marks the changing of the seasons and celebrates the tradition of the Pearly Kings and Queens, who come from every borough of London and are joined by mayors and other dignitaries in their ceremonial robes. It is also the Pearlies’ opportunity to thank Londoners and tourists and all who support their charitable endeavours.

Dancing round the Maypole with dignitaries from the different London boroughs

From the Guildhall Yard the Pearlies process to the cockney church of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside. A true Cockney is one who has been born within the sound of Bow Bells, the twelve bells of St Mary-le-Bow.

The Pearly Kings and Queens date from the 19^th century in London and their main objective is to raise money for various charities. You can learn more about them here and here. Sewing myriads of mother-of-pearl buttons onto their clothes has made them very noticeable, always a good idea when attracting the attention of people who might drop a coin or two into a collection tin or bucket. The kings and queens pass their heritage on through the generations.

The Pearlies wear the names of their boroughs on the backs of their jackets, and the rest of their attire is embroidered in shimmering symbols created with buttons, each symbol being of specific import. For example, a wheel represents the circle of life and a heart stands for charity. Donkeys on a suit are a reminder of the times when donkeys pulled carts to market and playing cards indicate that life is a gamble. Doves are a symbol of peace and horseshoes signify good luck.

The Pearly King on the extreme right is wearing a 'smother suit'

Traditionally, each Pearly makes their own suit. When a Pearly king or queen dies, the suit is stripped of the buttons which are then shared with the rest of the family. In that way, the dead Pearly is remembered and memorialised. Some heavily embellished suits may weigh as much as 30 kg (66lbs or 4.7 stone) These are called ‘smother suits’. The lighter suits are known as ‘skeleton suits’.