“Apple and pears” is a British slang phrase that means “stairs.” It is often used in a playful or informal way, especially in some parts of London and East End speech.
People usually say it as part of rhyming slang, where one word or phrase stands in for another. In everyday use, someone might say, “I’m going up the apple and pears,” meaning they are going up the stairs.
Meaning & Usage
The phrase comes from Cockney rhyming slang. “Apple and pears” rhymes with “stairs,” so people use it as a fun or coded way to say the word. It is not common in formal English, but it may still be heard in casual speech, stories, or TV shows.
Examples
“Can you take the apple and pears?” = “Can you take the stairs?”
“She went up the apple and pears to her room.” = “She went up the stairs to her room.”
Is “apple and pears” still used today?
Yes, but mostly in informal British English. It is less common in everyday conversation now, though many people still recognize it.
What does it mean in simple English?
It means “stairs.”
Is it formal English?
No, it is slang, so it is best used in casual speech only.
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