go for a burton

English

Etymology

Originated in the RAF in World War II. Unknown beyond that, but may have some association with beer.

Verb

go for a burton

(Britain, of a person) To be killed
(Britain, of a person or object) to be lost, spoiled or destroyed.

References

“Go for a burton” in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds: Ingenious Tales of Words and Their Origins, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books in association with Penguin Books, 2004, →ISBN.

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