The East End

The East End grew with the spread of industries to the east of the City, and the growth of the port of London. It covers a wide area. A part like Bethnal Green, which was once a country village, is quite different from the areas down by the river, where there are many wharfs and warehouses.

It is also one of those areas of London where people from abroad have come to find work. For centuries foreigners have made London their home. Some have had to leave their country for religious or political reasons. Others have wanted to find a better life. Some brought new skills and started new industries. These days, many Jews and Bengalis live in the East End, and within a small area you can see a mosque, a church and a synagogue! The East End is especially famous as the centre of the clothing industry (or 'rag-trade') in London.

The East End markets are famous throughout the world. Petticoat Lane market takes place every Sunday morning and has become one of the sights of London. Street-salesmen promise that the goods are of the highest quality and much cheaper than those you can buy in the West End! 'Come on darlin' ... amazin' bargain ... you ain't seen nuffink like it!'

Traditionally someone born in the East End is known as a cockney although this name is now given to anyone who speaks like a Londoner. Typically they change certain vowel sounds so that the sound in 'late' becomes more like that in 'light'. In addition they don't use the usual 't' sound of standard English but stop the air in their throat. (Try saying 'bu'er' instead of 'butter'!) Like some foreign learners of English they seem to have a few problems with 'th' and use an 'f' instead!

During the last century, East End criminals developed a special kind of slang or language which made it difficult for the police to understand them. In certain parts of London this slang is still used, and some expressions have passed into normal, everyday English. It is called 'rhyming slang' because words are replaced by other words or phrases which rhyme. For example 'loaf of bread' means 'head', and 'butcher's hook' means 'look'. However, usually only the first word of the phrase is used, for example, 'Use your loaf!' means 'Use your head ... don't be silly!' and 'Let me have a butcher's.' means 'Let me have a look.'

Susan Sheerin, Jonathan Seath, Gillian White: Spotlight on Britain; Oxford University Press, 1985, page 21