Cockney rhyming slang is a linguistic phenomenon that originated in the East End of London during the 19th century. It is a playful and creative way of speaking, where words or phrases are substituted with rhyming phrases to convey meaning. "Mince Pies" is slang for "eyes." The connection between mince pies and eyes is not immediately apparent aside from being rhyming words. Some believe it originated from the similarity in shape between mince pies and eyes. Both are round and have a central focal point.

Other Cockney slang phrases include "Barnet Fair", meaning hair, and "Aristotle", meaning bottle. These phrases and others reflect the creativity and wit of the East End of London. It is a way for the locals to express themselves uniquely and create a sense of community through shared linguistic codes. While the use of cockney rhyming slang has declined over the years, it still holds a special place in the hearts of Londoners and continues to be used in certain circles.

Many Cockney phrases can be shortened, often by dropping the rhyming word in a two-word saying. A Cockney may simply refer to eyes as "minces" and hair as a "barnet".

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