How do you use "Apples and pears" in a sentence?

Up the apples and pears to bed. Mind the apples—they're steep. He fell down the apples.

Apples and pears

Q: What does "Apples and pears" mean?

Stairs. The most famous Cockney rhyming slang. 'Up the apples' means going upstairs. It's so well-known it's almost a cliché of Cockney speech. Non-Londoners often use it self-consciously when trying to sound Cockney.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Stairs.

楼梯。

Escaleras.

階段。

계단.

The most famous Cockney rhyming slang. 'Up the apples' means going upstairs. It's so well-known it's almost a cliché of Cockney speech. Non-Londoners often use it self-consciously when trying to sound Cockney.

最著名的伦敦东区押韵俚语。'Up the apples'意思是上楼。这个说法太有名了，几乎成了伦敦东区方言的陈词滥调。非伦敦人试图模仿伦敦东区口音时，常常刻意使用这个表达。

El argot rimado cockney más famoso. 'Up the apples' significa subir las escaleras. Es tan conocido que casi es un cliché del habla cockney. Los que no son de Londres lo usan a menudo de forma consciente cuando intentan sonar cockney.

最も有名なコックニーの押韻スラング。「アップ・ザ・アップルズ」は上の階に行くという意味です。非常に有名なので、コックニー言葉のクリシェに近いです。ロンドン以外の人がコックニーっぽく話そうとする時、わざとらしく使うことが多いです。

코크니 라이밍 슬랭의 가장 유명한 예로, 'apples and pears'는 계단(stairs)을 뜻합니다. 마지막 단어의 라임으로 작동합니다: pears/stairs. 실제로는 'apples'로 줄여서 쓰는 경우가 많습니다—'Get up them apples(계단 올라가).' 이것이 전형적인 코크니입니다: 실용적이고, 장난스럽고, 외부인에게는 알 수 없는 표현. 라이밍 슬랭의 원리를 잘 보여줍니다.

Examples

Up the apples and pears to bed.
上楼去睡觉。
Sube las escaleras a la cama.
アップルズ・アンド・ペアーズを上がってベッドへ。
지금 계단 올라가는 중이야.
Mind the apples—they're steep.
小心楼梯——很陡。
Cuidado con las escaleras, son empinadas.
アップルズに気をつけて。急だから。
계단 조심해.
He fell down the apples.
他从楼梯上摔下来了。
Se cayó por las escaleras.
彼はアップルズから落ちた。
계단 내려가서 부엌으로.

Pronunciation

/ˈæpəlz ən peəz/

Usage Guide

Context: directions, home, traditional

Tone: traditional, iconic

✓ Do Say

Apples and pears
楼梯
escaleras
アップルズ・アンド・ペアーズ＝階段
애플즈 앤 페어즈 = 계단
Up the apples
上楼
subir las escaleras
階段を上がる
계단 올라가다
The apples
楼梯
las escaleras
階段
계단 내려가다

✗ Don't Say

So famous it can sound like a parody
太有名了，用起来可能像在模仿
Tan famoso que puede sonar a parodia
あまりにも有名なのでパロディに聞こえることがある
코크니가 아닌데 라임 슬랭을 남발하면 어색해 보일 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Often shortened to 'apples'
The most famous example of rhyming slang

Origin & History

Classic Cockney rhyming slang where 'apples and pears' rhymes with 'stairs.' Dating to the 19th century East End, it became the quintessential example of the slang form. Often shortened to just 'apples.'

Etymology: Apples and pears rhymes with stairs

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages (recognized)

Social background: Working class origins

Pop culture: Music hall; Cockney stereotypes

Regional notes: London East End, now universal recognition.

Story & Trivia

Apples and pears became so famous it appeared in music hall songs and later in films depicting Cockney life. Its fame somewhat diluted its authenticity—real Cockneys often prefer less well-known rhymes.

Variations

Apples and pearsApplesUp the apples