Only Fools & Horses - A to Z

Only Fools A-Z 1 Luca Rosi

Only Fools and Horses: A to Z A Aida Uncle Albert’s one-time former wife who we never see but is fondly remembered by the ‘Captain Birdseye’ lookalike. Alan Cassandra’s dad likes a drink and has a penchant for jellied eels. Runs his own printing works and employs Rodney. Alright Pronounced ‘Awright’, often used by Del Boy in combination with ‘Awright Rodders.” April Nothing to do with the month but refers to the ‘heart’ or ‘ticker’, as in the phrase “My old April”. Aubrey Boycie’s middle name.

B Bandy To ‘Knock ’em bandy’ means to impress or deliver a knock-out performance. Bark Used to denote a miserable old person, as in “old bark”. Barry ‘Dirty Barry’ who owns a sex shop and sells Del the blow up dolls. Becker Dr. Becker is the Trotter family’s longstanding GP. We do get to see him in one episode. Bengal The ‘Star of Bengal’ is Del’s local takeaway. Bertie A grass or informer, named after the real life Bertie Smalls. Billy goat Rhyming slang for coat. Bob Martins Rhyming slang for vitamins, named after the UK’s pet healthcare brand.


Blinding Another of Del Boy’s favourite words, which means brilliant, fantastic or that much-used Americanism, ‘awesome’. Boat Slang for face (boat race). Brahma A stunning girl, as used in the phrase “she’s a right brahma”, named after one of the Hindu gods. Brassic This is a synonym for ‘potless’ or ‘skint’ to mean a lack of liquidity. Brendan Brendan O’Shaughnessy is the burly Irish builder that we see in some of the early episodes and who Del calls ‘Mouth Almighty’. Puts the fear of God into Rodney. Brill Short for brilliant, this word is up there with t’rfic, one of Del’s favoutite words. Bruv Shortened version of brother, which is what Del Boy often calls Rodney.

C Capri Ghia Second hand motorcar that “handles like Maradona”. Del buys it off Boycie for the princely sum of £400 so the pregnant Raquel has a run-a-round. Rodney baptises it the ‘pratmobile’. Registration number UYO 177R. Card When someone is trying to be funny, as in “He’s a card”. Cash Cashflow is usually never a problem for recession-proof Del Boy as he’s always got something tucked away for a rainy day. “Cash on the hip” is a favourite expression. Charlton Rodney’s middle name, in honour of the actor Charlton Heston, is revealed on his wedding day much to his annoyance but has the congregation in raptures. Chimbley Alternative pronunciation of chimney. Choker “Aaaah, that’ a choker ain’t it!” says Del Boy on many an occasion to feign vicarious disappointment. Chubb Named after the eponymous manufacturer, “Put the chubb on”, means lock your door.


Chuck Slang for ‘throw’ as in “to chuck a bash”. Clump To ‘clump’ means to strike someone on the side of the head, as in ‘clump round the earhole’. Cop As in the widely used phrase, “You’ll cop an unfortunate one, Rodney” – see clump. Corinne The famous canary episode, when the boys end up having to buy a replacement yellow canary for Denzil’s wife after her beloved pet dies from smoke inhalation. Cosmic Rodney’s favourite word, which he uses to voice his discontent in a somewhat sarcastic manner. ‘Cos-meek’ is the antithesis to ‘cushty’. Councillor Murray The famous batman and robin episode when the two brothers come to the rescue of the traumatised Peckham councillor following a gang assault. Cream crackered One of Del Boy’s favourite words to mean tired – rhyming slang for ‘knackered’. Cushty Often exclaimed by Del Boy after rubbing his hands with glee and signifies a money-making venture gone well or just a state of happiness. Arguably the most widely uttered Del Boy-ism. Cynthia Meaning pain (in the physical sense), this is another example of ‘Sarf’ London slang. So-called after Cynthia Payne, the famous ‘party planner’.

D Dave The name that Trigger calls Rodney much to the bafflement of Del’s younger brother. Deportation When Grandad lands in jail for jaywalking, the boys learn the real reason behind the arrest: he was deported from Spain and all her territories for gun running during the Civil War. Dipstick This is another term of endearment along with ‘dippy’ for his brother Rodney. Origins lie in the dipstick, the gauge that measures the oil level in a car engine. Divvy Or div, slang for idiot.


Dora Marlene’s mother, whose suitors include Uncle Albert and ‘Knock Knock’. Dough Slang for money. As in a bit of the old dough-re-mi. Doughboy Slang for a blow or punch. Doynk Verb used to describe sexual intercourse. Driscolls The Driscoll brothers – Danny and Tony – are Peckham’s answer to the Kray twins. Drum Slang term for flat or apartment. Duffel The bag Uncle Albert uses to carry his belongings. Duke To most people, the legendary American western actor John Wayne but in Only Fools, the only Duke is Boycie’s dog, a pedigree Great Dane. Marlene adores the pup and calls it ‘Dukey Wookey’. Dymchurch It was in this small south east coast village in Kent that Del Boy lands on a television pole following his unfortunate dalliance with a hanglider.

E Elsie Partridge Uncle Albert’s lady friend and medium, she appears in the classic séance episode. Eugene Along with the Driscolls, Eugene McCarthy is another of Peckham’s mobsters.

F Fence To put something through the fence signifies to sell stolen goods. Filbert Slang for the head. “Use your filbert” means use your brain. Freddy the frog Freddy Robdall aka Freddy the Frog for his underwater exploits. Famed ‘bon viveur’ and dandy, we never meet this character who sends the brothers on a fruitless treasure hunt.


G Gallicism ‘Pardon my French’ as the old saying goes and in Del Boy’s case this couldn’t be more apt. Time and again he resorts to his very special interpretation of the Gallic language and has us in stitches every single time. There are so many examples that these warrant a chapter in their own right. Gandhi’s revenge Synonym for ‘Delhi Belly’ with particular reference to the post-curry tummy experience. Gordon Bennett Commonly used exclamation by Del Boy. Gregory Rhyming slang for neck (Gregory Peck). Groovy Rodney’s favourite adopted word as he joins in the fun and games of the teenage ‘Groovy Gang’ in Spain. Gubbins Preceded by old to mean rubbish.

H Handsome In Del parlance, this word comes to mean plentiful or in abundance. Used in association with food, “That’s handsome”. Helga An old flame of Uncle Albert’s from his time serving in Germany. Herbert Name in reference to any individual in much the same way as you would use Tom, Dick or Harry. “Snotty-nosed Herbert” is a classic example. Hodgkins Terry Hodgkins is the police officer who Slater barks orders at. Has the last laugh when his superior is put away for diamond smuggling. Hooky Synonym for ‘knocked off’ to describe stolen goods. ‘Hooky Street’ is central to the shows’ theme tune. Hubbard As in the saying, “That’s a lot of old mother hubbard”, to mean a load of old rubbish. Named after the eponymous nursery rhyme character.


Hump Pronounced ‘ump’ as in the phrase ‘you’re giving me the right ump’, in other words you’re getting on my nerves. Humpty Dumpty Named after the children’s nursery rhyme, it is also used to describe unbridled passion.

I Invalid Pronounced “invaleed” widely used word to refer to immobility.

J Jackanory Expression used for telling lies or ‘fibbing’ – named after the eponymous kids TV programme. Jacksy Slang for arse. Jaffa The seedless orange that originates from the city in Israel that bears the same name, the word emphasises Boycie’s difficulties in the procreation department. Jahan Owner of the local undertaker’s who gives Rodney a job. Jevon One of Rodney’s best friends, here is a slick mover both on and off the dance floor. John Whenever Del Boy tries to impress – usually in a bar scene – he tends to call the barman ‘John’ (or ‘Juan’ as in the Spanish prison episode). Jolly A ‘jolly up’ means a ‘knees up’ in the pub sense of the word. The Jolly boys outing is the annual jamboree to Margate organised by Del Boy. Fireworks guaranteed. Jonah Alluding to someone that is jinxed or plain unlucky, the origin dates back to the eponymous biblical prophet who was swallowed by a fish. Jubbly Always qualified and preceded by ‘lovely’, one of Del Boy’s most popular catchphrases both in his personal and business dealings.


Jumbo Another of Del’s old friends and former market partners, Jumbo Mills has made it big in Australia and returns to Peckham. Offers Del Boy the chance to join him Down Under and share in his success. We actually meet the same character in another guise (although still playing the part of an Aussie) in one of the early episodes.

K Kazi Slang term for toilet. Kermit Same as above – “Down the Kermit” is slang for toilet in reference to Kermit the Frog or ‘bog’. Kimosabe Tonto’s greeting for the Lone Ranger. Used by Reg to further ostracise Del Boy from the family fold following the tampered blood test results. Kippah Used in the phrase, “Done up like a kippah” to mean stitched up, shafted or conned Named after Jewish skull cap. Knock Knock One of Uncle Albert’s old school friends, so called for his domino playing, who gives the ‘able’ seaman a black eye. Knock off Verb frequently used to refer to stolen or ‘knocked off’ merchandise. Knock out Del Boy knocks out or sells ‘knocked off’ gear. Knocking Preceded by the word ‘last’ to mean last orders.

L Lacano This gets a fleeting mention most memorably when the subject of Rodney’s father comes up. Was a trumpet player at the Lacano club. Lennox The naïve youth who gets coerced into holding up a supermarket by its own manager and head of security, but eventually talked out of it by Del Boy and manages to land himself the security job. Lick Going at a fair old lick, which means travelling at velocity.


Line Market jargon referring to a product, as in “We’re doing a lovely line in …” Livener As in “a couple of quick liveners” in reference to a drop of alcohol to get the evening going. Louis ‘Eyetalian Louie’, the pet shop owner, who sells Grandad the yellow canary (see Corinne). Lughole Slang for ear. Lumber To be left with something unwanted, as in ‘dead lumber’ or dead wood.

M Malapropism The show is built around Del Boy’s colourful use of language and in particular the way he gets words mixed up and is more often than not corrected by Rodney. Manky Slang for dirty. Martin Luther King Name of the comprehensive school attended by Del and chums. Remember the famous school reunion surprise for Class 4C of 1962 organised by Chief Inspector Slater? Mental Micky Somewhat deranged lead singer of a band which has Rodney as its drummer and Del Boy as its manager. Later makes it onto Top of the Pops much to Rodney’s chagrin. Millwall The ‘Lions’ are the local professional football team from South East London, mentioned for their lack of success. As fate would have it, they did in fact almost win the Cup when they reached the final in 2004, for the first time in their 119-year history. Millionaires “This time next year Rodders we’ll be meal-ionaires”. The most famous Del Boyism of the lot and the dream does indeed become reality when they discover a priceless pocket watch in their garage. Monkey A term used to denote the value of 500 pounds. Also the nickname of one of Del’s business associates and former school chums ‘Monkey’ Harris (played left back in the school football team). We never get to see this character but he is a regular ‘phone’ presence throughout the episodes.


Mucker Synonym for pal or friend as in the phrase, “Me old mucker”. Mum Joan Mavis Trotter (Joanie) the deceased mother (12 March 1964) who acts as a guardian and angel figure. Often brought up by Del Boy when he wants Rodney to agree with his plan: “What mum said on her deathbed …” Mush Refers to a random geezer or bloke. The word gets a mention in the theme tune. Mutton Slang for deaf.

N Nag’s Head Del and the gang’s local, a regular meeting place for a good old knees-up and a sing along. Nark A police informer as in “copper’s nark.” Nause The adjective means annoying or irritating, as in “that’s a right old nause”; as a verb “to nause up” means to mess something up. Nelson Mandela House The estate where the Trotters live, named after the great South African statesman. The full address is number 368, Dockside Estate, Nelson Mandela House, Peckham. Nelson Riddle Going for a number one. Nerys ‘Nervous’ Nerys, a girl Rodney asks out on a date and who ends up being scared witless in a car chase. New Delhi Rhymes with ‘belly’ and signifies anything to do with the stomach. Has probable links to the expression, “Delhi Belly”. Nijinski Both a famous Russian ballet dancer and a racehorse (which was named after the dancer). Niperoony Term of endearment for a nipper or little kid. Nitto/Nix One of several words used to mean having no money or having nothing.


Noddle Synonym for brain, as in the expression “Use your noddle”.

O Occhetti Surname of the mafia don and Del Boy lookalike, which lands the brothers in a heap of trouble during their ill-fated trip to Miami, Florida. Olly Olly the Greaser is an acquaintance of Del Boy’s that we meet in the Nag’s Head.

P Paddy Paddy the Greek is another of Del Boy’s associates. Pal One of the many colloquialisms, ‘pal’ is one of Del’s favourites and widely used to signify friend or mate. Peckham This is the vibrant and bustling borough in South London where all the residents live. The name the brothers also give to their spring water. Peckham High Road is the main street while the local paper is the Peckham Echo. Our Lady of the Divine ‘Rosemary’ is the local place of worship. And Peckham Spring, which comes from an ancient and natural spring’, is at least for a while the at least best selling water. Pedro The phrase ‘No way Pedro’ means not a chance in hell in the sense of not doing something. ‘No way Jose’ is a derivative of the aforementioned although quite why these two Spanish Christian names (Peter and John respectively) crop up remains a mystery. Pervo Abbreviation for pervert. Pina Colada The rum and pineapple concoction, complete with cocktail umbrella, is Del Boy’s signature beverage. Plonker No word quite captures the essence of Rodney. Used in classic phrases such as, “You are a 150% 24 carat plonker”. Pony A lie or total rubbish as in “That’s a load of old pony”.


Pop “Is he ‘avin a pop or what?” Del Boy would say to someone who is somewhat pushing their luck. Porky Abbreviation of pork pie, which is rhyming slang for lie. Potless Synonym for brassic or skint. Empty pot equals no money. Pranny Synonym for wally to denote general ineptitude and uselessness. Pug The verb pug away means to hide or stash something away, mostly valuables.

Q Quack Slang for doctor. Queso The Spanish word for cheese, more commonly associated with smiling and pictures, but comes to mean having an illicit relationship with the fairer sex.

R Rabbit “He’s got too much rabbit”. In other words, he talks too much in the sense of ‘giving it large’. Origin from the quick mouth opening and closing action of a rabbit. Randolph As in Randolph Scott, rhyming slang for spot (zit). Readies Del Boy’s only currency of choice: readies and notes are all interchangeable synonyms for notes or cash. Reeny Short for Irene, she is an old friend of the boys’ mother. Reg The boys’ father turns up to wreak havoc and cause friction between Del and Rodney before being given his marching orders after faking an illness and trying to falsify his sons’ medical results.


Reliant Robin The emblematic and iconic make of three-wheeled yellow van (registration numbers seem to change APL 911H / DHV 936D / DHV 9380 / DHV 938D from two the early episodes), which has the memorable signage, ‘Trotters Independent Traders – London Paris New York’. The van serves the brothers well despite the dodgy exhaust. Rico The conniving and smooth-talking son of Don Occhetti who tries to get Del Boy assassinated in the hope of saving his own father from a long jail term. Rise As in the phrase, “take the rise” which means to make fun of. Rock ‘n’ roll Slang for dole (also jam roll). Ruby Murray Rhyming slang for curry, the UK’s favourite takeaway. The curry house or Indian restaurant is a favourite haunt of Del’s. Rhythm and blues Slang for shoes.

S Sam and ella One of Del’s classic linguistic bloopers, confusing the word with Salmonella, the well known bacterium responsible for food poisoning. Sandboy As in the expression “Happy as a sandboy” to denote a state of nirvana. Sarky Short for sarcastic. “Don’t you get sarky with me, Rodney!” as Grandad said on several occasions. Saucy The word means cheeky in south London parlance, as in ‘saucy git’. Shell Or ear, as in, “Can I have a word in your shell, like?” Sheps Del’s favourite song is ‘Old Shep’, the sad story of a man and his dog. Shtuk Derivative of the work stuck, as used in “dead shtuk” which is a synonym of “dead lumber”, in other words, gear they cannot get rid of or obsolete stock.


Sheepskin Del Boy’s faithful coat later made famous by football manager, ‘Big’ Ron Atkinson and commentator, John ‘Mottie’ Motson. Shnide Pejorative word to describe someone who is untrustworthy. Sid Best known for having a cigarette dangling from his mouth and the owner of the Old Oak café, where the boys go for their greasy fry-up. Slater Chief Detective Inspector Roy ‘Bulldog’ Slater is the most loathed of all the characters. Arranges a surprise school reunion but that’s not the only surprise he has in store. Smackeroonios Slang for money. Snide Another word for grass, in the informer sense of the word. Sprawnce Slang for boast. Solly Solly Atwell is the solicitor that Del Boy uses to claim compensation for gross negligence against a brewery when his uncle falls down a manhole. Soppy Frequently used when one of the brothers is feeling down. “You soppy old a goat/duffer” is Delboy favourite. Sort Usually in reference to a good looking woman, as in “She’s a sort”. Statellite One of the many malapropisms (see separate entry) spoken by Del. Steak The steak meal is Del’s way of showing a girl a good time. Swallowtail The Jamaican swallowtail is an endangered species of butterfly, which fetches £3000. Syrup Syrup of fig is the cockney rhyming slang for wig.


T Tallyman Door to door salesman of goods on credit. Tart up Verb used by Del when referring to making something more presentable (in a money making sense). Taters Taters (potatoes) in the mould is rhyming slang for cold. Tick If something is on tick, it’s on credit. Tightwad To be a Scrooge – mean with your ‘wad’ or money. Tom Dick “I’m feeling Tom Dick”. This is rhyming slang for sick. Tony The Elvis impersonator with the fake tan and unknown food object lodged in his nether regions, Tony cannot pronounce his ‘Rs’, as famously exposed when singing ‘Cwying’, the famous Roy Orbison track. Toperoony Slang for a top up, in the alcoholic sense of the word. Towser This character buys some faulty lawnmowers from Rodney as a favour to Del. Trembler Trotter’s trembler is the nickname for Uncle Albert’s alleged powerful punch. Terrific Pronounced “T’riffic” and used extensively by Rodney – the word means terrific but in a sarcastic sense. Tog out Used in a fashion sense to mean to dress up in. Togged out is a synonym for decked out. Tosh Talking rubbish as in “What a load of old tosh”. Trotters Independent Traders The family firm which ceases trading when the boys strike it big and become millionaires. Tuck up


When Del wants to get you his own back or plot revenge, he tucks them up: “I’m going to tuck that Micky Pearce up good and proper” or “You’ve been tucked up something proper.” Twonk This word is preceded almost always by “Dozy little …” another classic Del Boyism. Tyler Boycie and Marlene’s baby son, who we occasionally see in his pram, all decked out in leopardskin attire. And a much chubbier version, who goes on to star in the Green Green Grass.

U Unc The man who sailed the seven seas. Take another bow, Uncle Albert.

V Velox The Vauxhall Velox, one of Delboy’s cars in the early episodes which he sells to help pay for the porcelain statue of Kubera. Vonnie Short for Yvonne, an old flame of Del Boy’s who appears in some memorable episodes. Her lonely hearts description might include red curls, GSOH, an ample bosom and ‘hissing Sid’ the snake.

W Wack To endorse quality, a synonym for ‘knock’ as in “Can’t wack it”. Wally A synonym for plonker and dipstick, usually reserved for Rodney. Its noun derivative ‘wallyness’ also gets a mention as does ‘wally brain’. Wilton Slang for carpet – after Wilton carpets. Worstest Delboy’s very own version of the superlative ‘worst’.


Y Yipedy oys Denote ruffians or uncultured members of the lower classes. Yuppy This is the era of the young and upwardly mobile professional, the City high roller with the filofax and ‘Rolox’ that Del Boy so desperately wants to emulate.

Z Zebedee Bouncy character from cult kids’ classic, the Magic Roundabout. ‘Good old Del Boy, he’s got more bounce than Zebedee.’

Only Fools & Horses - A to Z

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Transcript of Only Fools & Horses - A to Z