Search
Select the dictionary language
apples and pears
01
a staircase; a set of steps for going from one floor to another
Slang
What does "apples and pears" mean in Cockney rhyming slang?
The structure uses the rhyming pair "apples and pears" to stand for "stairs," following the typical Cockney pattern of replacing a word with a phrase that rhymes with it. It is used in Cockney rhyming slang (London, UK) to mean a staircase or set of steps for going from one floor to another. People typically say "I'm heading up the apples and pears to bed" or "Mind the last step on the apples." The term originated in early 20th century London East End rhyming slang culture, and remains a classic, well known example, often cited as the archetypal Cockney rhyming slang phrase.
Examples
I ran up the apples and pears to grab my coat.



























