Idiom idiom
sugar basin
Slang Cockney rhyming slang · East London
Meaning
a marble mason
Examples
“The sugar basin is carving a new stone statue.”
“We hired a skilled sugar basin to repair the marble steps at the front entrance.”
“The cathedral restoration project required a master sugar basin to carefully restore the intricate marble carvings on the facade.”
Origin
The appearance of rough white marble resembles a sugar lump and being a soft stone (when newly quarried) it is easy (ie sweet) to work with.
Anchors to
Last updated June 7, 2026