The American slang phrase “Tell it to Sweeney” has surprising origins, according to the New Dictionary of American Slang.The slang dictionary traces the origin to a similar phrase, “Tell it to the Marines” that originated in England during the early 1800s. See more. Sweeney: Cockney rhyming slang for the Flying Squad, from Sweeney Todd, inspiring the television series The Sweeney, (see also Heavy). It is especially prevalent in the UK, Ireland and Australia. The show was known for many memorable lines of dialogue which included:- "Get yer trousers on, you're nicked." From Cockney rhyming slang: "Sweeney Todd" = "Flying Squad". A commentary on one of Eliot’s classic quatrain poems by Dr Oliver Tearle ‘Sweeney among the Nightingales’ is one of a number of quatrain poems which T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) included in his second collection, Poems (1920). It was first used in the early 19th century in the East End of London; hence its alternative name, Cockney rhyming slang. T The Thin Blue Line The role of the police as the barrier between civilized society and chaos, inspiring a UK sitcom and two documentaries of … Information and translations of Sweeney in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on … Dialogue []. Sweeney, The UK slang term for the Flying Squad of London's Metropolitan Police Service. Also a classic TV show and recently a movie. Its been nearly 100 years since the Roaring Twenties, an era where flappers, speakeasies, and mobsters reigned supreme. Smokey: A term from the CB Radio fad of the 1970s. Old fashioned rhyming slang for Sweeney Todd = The Flying Squad, which was the name given to police in cars (in the old days most police operated on foot; the FS got to … What does Sweeney mean? The Sweeney – UK slang term for the Flying Squad of London’s Metropolitan Police Service. The Sweeney = Sweeney Todd =Flying Squad , a special division of the Metropolitan Police ; used as the title of TV series The Sweeney Taters = Potatoes in the mould = cold Titfer = tit for tat = hat Tod = Tod Sloane = own (as in "on your tod", meaning "alone") Tom and Dick = sick Tomfoolery = jewellery Rhyming slang is a form of slang word construction in the English language. This line became synonymous with the show, although it was only ever used in the pilot … A time where there was a cultural shift away from tradition into a modern age of rebellion, which came in the forms of the cinema, radio, automobiles, jazz, and, most importantly, new slang … Sweeny definition, atrophy of the shoulder muscles in horses. Meaning of Sweeney. Definition of Sweeney in the Definitions.net dictionary. Learn definitions, uses, and phrases with sweeney. See "Bear" above. From Cockney rhyming slang: “Sweeney Todd” = “Flying Squad”. 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