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ball of chalk

Classic Cockney rhyming slang for a walk.

ˈbɔl ˈʌv ˈt͡ʃɑkhistorical167 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

Classic Cockney rhyming slang for a walk. In Cockney tradition, you replace a word with a phrase that rhymes with it — here, 'chalk' rhymes with 'walk', so 'ball of chalk' means a stroll on foot. Like most rhyming slang, it's often shortened to just 'ball', so a Cockney might say 'fancy a ball?' meaning 'want to go for a walk?' It's a genuine piece of London street language with a long history.

It's a lovely evening — let's go for a ball of chalk along the river before dinner.
Origin: Cockney rhyming slang originating in London's East End, where 'chalk' rhymes with 'walk'. A genuine example of the rhyming slang tradition dating back to the 19th century. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"ball of chalk" means: Classic Cockney rhyming slang for a walk. In Cockney tradition, you replace a word with a phrase that rhymes with it — here, 'chalk' rhymes.... This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"ball of chalk" means: Classic Cockney rhyming slang for a walk. In Cockney tradition, you replace a word with a phrase that rhymes with it — here, 'chalk' rhymes.... Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. Note the regional or dialect label (Cockney) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use

Cluster: authentic
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, rhyming slang) A walk.

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For specific readers

"ball of chalk" means: Classic Cockney rhyming slang for a walk. In Cockney tradition, you replace a word with a phrase that rhymes with it — here, 'chalk' rhymes.... This is informal slang, common in casual speech, texting and social media, but not appropriate for school work, applications or professional settings. There is no real cause for concern in itself; it is everyday peer vocabulary. If your child uses it, a light comment about audience and register is usually enough — no need to escalate. Context, more than the word, tells you whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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