go for a burton en · VERB
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".
Meanings
-
(UK, of a person) To be killed.
[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.
1945, Eric H Partridge, “Words Get Their Wings”, in College English, volume 7, number 1, page 27:
- (UK, of a person or object) To be lost, spoiled or destroyed.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| went for a burton | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| go for a Burton | alternative | lexicographic | |
| goes for a burton | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| gone for a burton | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| going for a burton | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |