Butcher's

Butcher’s (noun / UK Slang)

(Also heard as: Butcher’s hook, Have a butcher’s, Take a butcher’s)

Definition:

Butcher’s is British rhyming slang for a look. If someone says “have a butcher’s”, they mean take a quick look at something.

Where Butcher’s Comes From:

It comes from the Cockney rhyming slang “butcher’s hook”, which rhymes with “look”. As with many rhyming phrases, the rhyming part was dropped, leaving just “butcher’s”. It has been in use since the early 1900s and is still common in everyday British speech.

How People Actually Use Butcher’s:

People use it casually when asking to see something: “Let’s have a butcher’s at your phone”, “Take a butcher’s at this”. It is friendly, informal and used across the UK, not only by Londoners, so many people use it without knowing it is rhyming slang.

Is Butcher’s Rude?

No. It is completely harmless and can be used in almost any casual setting.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Give us a butcher’s at that map.”

  Meaning: Let me have a look at that map.

• “I’ll have a butcher’s and see if I can fix it.”

  Meaning: I will take a look and see if I can fix it.

• “Come and take a butcher’s at this view.”

  Meaning: Come and look at this view.

Similar Slang:

Bob’s Your Uncle, Cushty, Geezer, Gaff, Taking the Mick

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