General
barnet fair
What does barnet fair mean?
The hair. 'Barnet Fair' rhymes with 'hair', and is clipped to 'Barnet', dropping the rhyme.
"Look at the state of your Barnet, comb it."
Origin
Victorian East End rhyming slang on 'hair', named for Barnet Fair, the historic horse and livestock fair held at Barnet in north London; the clipped 'Barnet' is among the most enduring rhyming-slang survivals, rooted in the tradition Hotten recorded from 1859.
Frequently asked questions
What does Barnet Fair mean in Cockney?
It means hair. 'Fair' rhymes with 'hair', shortened to 'Barnet'.
Where is Barnet Fair?
Barnet Fair was a famous horse and livestock fair in north London; its name was borrowed for the rhyme on 'hair'.
Is Barnet still used for hair?
Yes, 'Barnet' for hair is one of the best-surviving and most widely understood pieces of rhyming slang.
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