General
bubble and squeak
What does bubble and squeak mean?
Cockney rhyming slang for 'Greek', often used as a nickname for a Greek person (frequently clipped to 'bubble'). In parts of London a 'bubble' just means a Greek Cypriot.
"The chippy on the corner is run by a bubble, best kebabs in the area."
Origin
19th-century London. The dish is named for the sound it makes in the pan. The rhyming-slang senses came later, leaning on the dish's familiar name.
Frequently asked questions
What does bubble and squeak mean in Cockney slang?
It's Cockney rhyming slang, usually standing for "Greek."
Where does bubble and squeak come from as slang?
It's Cockney rhyming slang, where "squeak" rhymes with "Greek" (it shares its name with the fried leftover-veg dish).
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
