Slang in England, particularly in the East End of London, is like a linguistic magic trick, designed to baffle outsiders and make everyday chat sound like a poetry slam. If you were born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow Church (affectionately known as Bow Bells), you’ve earned the title of cockney. The East End is famous for its Pearly Kings and Queens (imagine royalty covered in shiny buttons) and their beloved cockney rhyming slang. It’s a wordplay wonderland where “frog and toad” means road. So, if someone says, “I’m off down the frog and toad,” don’t expect to see any wildlife, they’re just hitting the road.
When it comes to darts, some terms are straight out of this quirky slang, others have a sprinkle of history and the rest are so straightforward they might as well come with an instruction manual. But let’s face it, half the charm of darts is trying to figure out what the heck everyone’s talking about. Is it a sport or a language class? Either way, just aim for the bullseye and hope you don’t embarrass yourself!