Has your ATM ever asked for your Huckleberry Finn before spitting out your sausage and mash? If you were in London it might! For the next three months, a handful of ATMs in London's East End will give users the option of being addressed in Cockney rhyming slang. If they choose this adventurous option, users will have to know to request a "speckled hen" instead of £10, and decide whether to check their balance on the Charlie Sheen (screen).
The company that owns the ATMs claims that in addition to providing a little entertainment, it's trying to preserve a fading dialect. So far, some customers are getting a kick out of the unusual lingo, while others are finding it confusing and irritating. What do you think about this gimmick: brilliant or baffling?
By Caprice
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Giuseppe Zanotti
My question is: why? Why do we need more incentive for people to use ATMs?
1I think it's a cute publicity stunt, but it's totally frivolous.
2But who knows, if it works, maybe my ATMs will start greeting me with "How y'all doin' tahday?"
or, since I'm in NJ, "Yo! How you doin', babe?", and a twenty can be referred to as "large pizza, three toppings, and a bottle of coke".
I think it's hilarious. I don't think it would translate (pun not intended) well in the US though. But cockney slang is a huge huge huge part of London's history, culture and identity - esp. in the East End. So it's a lot different than what you describe above, mochick, although that would be funny too.
3It's cute.
4I think it would be funny if I went to a bank machine here in Toronto and a voice asked me what I wanted to do with the most stereotypical Canadian accent ever.
Zivanod, I was thinking it'd be better on the east coast... "Take oat yer caird eh!"
5Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.