Cockneys - people born in an area in the centre of London called Bow - have used their own secret language for hundreds of years. It's called 'Cockney Rhyming Slang', and the way it works is very simple: words are simply changed for words and phrases that they rhyme with. For example, 'stairs' are called 'Apples and Pears'!

It is thought that Cockney rhyming slang was first used to outwit people who weren't from London and people in authority. Amazingly, Cockney rhyming slang is still spoken today, simply because it is enjoyable and fun to use. Some of the coded words have become so popular that they are used all over England.

Try our quiz and see if you can work out some terms used in Cockney rhyming slang. Don't worry if you get some wrong - it isn't easy. Once you've played it, you should have learnt some Cockney rhyming slang to amaze and confuse your friends and family with!

Tips

1) Choose words and phrases that rhyme exactly - say them out loud if it helps.

2) Watch out or those that only nearly rhyme: these are called 'half rhymes', and are usually not used in Cockney rhyming slang.

3) If in doubt, choose the funniest option - Cockney rhyming slang is all about having a sense of humour.

4) There are no rules - you can even try making up your own slang for words you use.