go for a burton

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Originated in the RAF in World War II. Unknown beyond that, but may have some association with beer. One version is that it was from a series of ads for Burton's beer which showed a group of people with one missing and the tag line "He's gone for a Burton".

Verb

go for a burton (third-person singular simple present goes for a burton, present participle going for a burton, simple past went for a burton, past participle gone for a burton)

  1. (British, of a person) To be killed.
    • 1945, Eric H Partridge, “Words Get Their Wings”, in College English, volume 7, number 1, page 27:
      [G]one for a Burton [] has, in the R.A.F., ousted gone West[.] "He is dead" may appear somewhat remote from "He has gone for a glass of Burton": but, then, all euphemisms do, at first, appear remote.
  2. (British, of a person or object) To be lost, spoiled or destroyed.

References