Arthur Dailey

[rogerr]

Anyone know why Arthur referred to a watch as a "kettle"--Obviously rhyming slang, but I can't see it.

[Grunty]

I think it's kettle & hob (fob).

[Clayhead]

Wasn't this from the days of illegal distilling of whisky, when it was kept in a pot called a "kettle"? Thus "kettle of scotch" = watch.

[Loosehead]

It's kettle on the hob - fob

[brachiopod]

Clayhead, I think you're confusing it with Gold watch = Scotch

[Jake1]

Kettle (and hob) = watch (fob watch - Ack M Kelsey - 'Kettle' means 'watch'. A fob is actually a small pocket in the waistline of the trousers or in a waistcoat, in which a pocket-watch would be kept, often connected and secured via a fob chain. The anachronistic nature of the association today provides an example of how language evolves from something recognisable into something seemingly illogical. For the same reason in years to come people will wonder why we say the 'telephone is ringing', or why flushing the toilet is referred to as 'pulling the chain'.)