General
china plate
What does china plate mean?
Clipped to 'china', a close pal or trusted companion.
"He's been my china since we were at school."
Origin
Late-nineteenth or early-twentieth-century East End rhyming slang on 'mate'; the warm 'me old china' became one of the most enduring affectionate Cockney terms, part of the everyday-social vocabulary growing out of the London slang Hotten recorded in 1859.
Frequently asked questions
What does china plate mean?
It's Cockney rhyming slang for mate, meaning friend. 'Plate' rhymes with 'mate', shortened to 'china'.
Why do Cockneys say 'me old china'?
'China plate' rhymes with 'mate', so calling someone 'me old china' is a friendly way of saying 'my old friend'.
Is china plate still used?
Yes, 'china' for mate is one of the best-surviving and most affectionate pieces of rhyming slang.
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