What a Pearly King taught me about Cockney rhyming slang and East London history
NPR · 1 Oct 2026

What a Pearly King taught me about Cockney rhyming slang and East London history

In mother-of-pearl suits, the Pearly Kings used to canvass East London for charity. The most famous one, George Major, died in August. A look back on this larger-than-life figure and the Pearly King tradition.


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