There is one bit of Rhyming slang that I have never been able to understand, and that is why watches are called "Kettles" Does anyone know? I'm sure there is a lot more I don't know, maybe some of you guys can enlighten us all about "Kettles" and many other Rhyming Slang words as well.
Kettle and Hob Kettle and Hob is Cockney slang for Watch. Kettle is the shortened form of Kettle and Hob - think of the oven range in an old fashioned house, with its kettle boiling away on the hob. When pocket watches first became fashionable, they were held against the body by use of a small chain. Kettle & hob = fob (watch).
Were they known as "Fob Watches"? Which I think I have heard of and would explain the Rhyming Slang used. Edit: I was asking Tut , post #2 the question not you Recluse, we must have been writing at the same time.
