General
rosie lee
What does rosie lee mean?
A cuppa. The most famous tea-rhyme in the Cockney book, and one of the few that still gets used unironically — 'fancy a Rosie?' will be understood in any London cab. Usually clipped to just 'Rosie'.
"Sit down, I'll stick the kettle on and make us a Rosie."
Origin
Cockney rhyming slang, early 20th century. Sometimes linked to American striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, though it likely predates her fame.
Frequently asked questions
What does Rosie Lee mean?
Rosie Lee is Cockney rhyming slang for a cup of tea.
How do you use Rosie Lee in a sentence?
"Fancy a nice cup of Rosie Lee before we head off?"
Where does Rosie Lee come from?
It's Cockney rhyming slang from London's East End, where "Rosie Lee" rhymes with "tea."
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
