What do the lyrics of Knees Up Mother Brown mean?
It is thought she might have needed a ‘knees up’ to cheer up. ‘Knees up’ also had a ruder meaning, referring to the position of a woman during sex. There was much speculation around whether Queen Victoria was in a romantic relationship with her servant, John Brown (hence Mother Brown).
Where does the song Knees Up Mother Brown come from?
“Knees Up Mother Brown” is a pub song, believed to date back as early as the 1800s, but first published in 1938, and with origins in the East End of London. With its origins in public houses of East London, it was associated with Cockney culture.
Why is it called knees up?
Having a “knees up” seems to have originated in old fashioned cockney slang meaning to have a party – knees up now implying dancing. There is an old song “Knees up Mother Brown” which became popular during WW1. It was later sung regularly on the radio by popular comedy team Elsie and Doris Waters.
What does knees-up mean in England?
a noisy party
Definition of knees-up British, informal. : a noisy party usually with dancing We had a knees-up to celebrate his retirement.
What is a good old knees-up?
So a knees-up is a lively party or gathering to celebrate something. This is going to be fun! Rob.
What is a Bob in British slang?
“Bob” is slang for shilling (which is 5p in todays money) 1 shilling equalled twelve pence (12d). £1 (one pound) equalled 20 shillings (20s or 20/-) 240 pennies ( 240d ) = £1. There were 240 pennies to a pound because originally 240 silver penny coins weighed 1 pound (1lb).
Why is a pound called a nicker?
Another money slang word, nicker, which means £1, is thought to be connected to the American nickel. Wonga, which describes an unspecified amount of money, may come from the Romany word for coal, wanga.
What does a drink mean in money?
A money word which will be familiar to anyone who has watched shows on television featuring criminals and the British police is drink, as in “That’ll cost you a drink”, an obvious elliptical abbreviation of “That’ll cost you the price of a drink”.