What Does “House” Mean in Cockney Slang

In Cockney slang, “house” means “mouse.” It comes from the old rhyming slang style, where a word is replaced by a phrase that rhymes with it.

People may use it in a playful or joking way, especially when talking in Cockney-style speech. In everyday conversation, though, most people just use mouse unless they are using slang for fun or to sound more traditional.

Meaning & Usage

“House” is a rhyming slang word for mouse. For example, someone might say, “There’s a house in the kitchen,” meaning there is a mouse in the kitchen.

Examples

“I think there’s a house under the sink.”

“He saw a house running across the floor.”

Context / Common Use

This slang is mainly used in Cockney speech and in casual, playful conversation. It is not common in formal English.

Is “house” commonly used in modern English?

No, not in this slang sense. Most people say “mouse” instead.

What kind of slang is this?

It is Cockney rhyming slang, a traditional English slang style from London.

Can “house” mean anything else in slang?

Yes, in other contexts “house” can have different meanings, but in Cockney slang it usually means “mouse.”