Denham mentions something about having a "Bearer" (sounds like "Barra" in the movie). Then later, Thackery asks him "What's a Bearer?" Denham responds "A Bearer? What, with fruit and all." (or something like that), to which Thackery responds, "Oh." Huh? What's a Bearer, and what does it have to do with fruit???
shareCockney accents have a way of distorting sounds. Denham was referring to a "Barrow", as in wheelbarrow. Market traders in London, particularly those of an older generation used to refer to themselves as Barrow Boys.
shareOhhhhhhh, I get it! So, Denham was saying that he doesn't need Sir's help - he has his own barrow - in other words, he'll just sell fruit on the streets when he graduates. Thanks so much - that has been bugging me for many, many years!
shareIn the film Denham has a part - time job selling fruit and veg from his market stall, or "Barrow". A "Barrow" pronounced "Barra" by London cockneys refers to a market stall. If you watch the BBC programme Eastenders one of the characters has a fruit "Barrow", watch it and you will know what I mean.
share Probably the most famous barrow in the world is the one mentioned in the first line of the Beatles song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Life Goes On)."
You know how it goes: "Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace / Molly is the singer in a band..."
Ah, I never even thought about it. Thanks for that!
I asked the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
Today. City financial traders who have a cockney accent are often termed "barrow-boys". This is supposed to be a term of derision from their public school betters but is often worn as a badge of pride.
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