Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also duchess, Duchess of Fife) a wife.

1919		Truth (Brisbane) 28 Sept. 2/3: [I]t’s a good thing for any man to take unto himself a drum and fife.
1935		Thieves Slang ms list from District Police Training Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwicks 1: Back to the drum and fife: Return home.
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl. 50/2: drum and fife (1) Wife.
1971		J. Jones Rhy. Cockney Sl.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl. 28: Duchess of Fife wife.
2003		B. Dark Dirty Cockney Rhy. Sl. 48: drum and fife wife.

2. (also Duke of Fife) a knife.

1925		(con. WWI) Fraser & Gibbons Soldier and Sailor Words 84: Duke Of Fife: Knife.
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl. 59/2: (2) knife.
1969		S.T. Kendall Up the Frog.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl.