Another bit of Cockney rhyming slang is "Khyber Pass", which was familiar in the 19th century as the major route between Afghanistan (independent kingdom with the British and Russians competing for influence) and British India (the bit now Pakistan). This is of course from Khyber Pass/arse. As with most Cockney rhyming slang, the rhyming word could then be omitted, leaving Khyber. So if someone said they were going up the Khyber it could either indicate a dangerous journey or what is indelicately called buggery. This was exploited in the broad humour of the Carry On film series in the film called "Up the Khyber".
By the way most people think the British interventions in Afghanistan were a complete disaster. Actually, the First Afghan War was an enormous disaster: a successful British invasion with unclear aims (was it really just to install a more favourable Afghan king, or was annexation on the cards?) was followed by most of the invaders going home, job done, and the rest being massacred almost to a man. But the second Afghan War, with much clearer and more limited aims (install a pro-British king, who happened to be a capable man) was 100% successful. May be a lesson there. |