How do you use "Burke" in a sentence?

You burke! Don't be such a burke. He's a right burke.

Burke

Q: What does "Burke" mean?

British slang for a stupid person; also spelled 'berk.' 'Burke' or 'berk' is British slang for an idiot. It's actually Cockney rhyming slang—'Berkeley Hunt' rhymes with a much ruder word. Most users don't know this origin, making it acceptably mild despite its crude roots.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: British slang for a stupid person; also spelled 'berk.'

英国俚语，指愚蠢的人；也拼作'berk'。

Argot británico para una persona estúpida; también se escribe 'berk'.

イギリスのスラングで「バカな人」。「berk」とも綴る。

영국 속어로 멍청한 사람. 'berk'라고도 쓴다.

'Burke' or 'berk' is British slang for an idiot. It's actually Cockney rhyming slang—'Berkeley Hunt' rhymes with a much ruder word. Most users don't know this origin, making it acceptably mild despite its crude roots.

'Burke'或'berk'是英国俚语中指白痴的词。实际上是伦敦东区押韵俚语——'Berkeley Hunt'与一个更粗俗的词押韵。大多数使用者不知道这个来源，所以尽管词源粗俗，这个词仍被视为温和的表达。

'Burke' o 'berk' es argot británico para idiota. En realidad es argot rimado cockney: 'Berkeley Hunt' rima con una palabra mucho más grosera. La mayoría de los usuarios desconocen este origen, lo que lo hace aceptablemente suave a pesar de sus raíces vulgares.

「Burke」または「berk」はイギリスのスラングでバカを意味します。実はコックニーの押韻スラングで、「Berkeley Hunt」がもっと下品な言葉と韻を踏んでいます。ほとんどの使用者はこの由来を知らないため、下品な語源にもかかわらず穏やかな表現として受け入れられています。

'Burke' 또는 'berk'는 영국 속어로 멍청이를 뜻한다. 사실 코크니 압운 속어로 'Berkeley Hunt'가 훨씬 더 거친 단어와 운이 맞는다. 대부분의 사용자가 이 어원을 모르기 때문에 상스러운 유래에도 불구하고 가볍게 받아들여진다.

Examples

You burke!
你这个蠢货！
¡Imbécil!
このバカ！
이 바보야!
Don't be such a burke.
别这么蠢
No seas tan imbécil
そんなバカなことするな
그런 바보 같은 짓 하지 마.
He's a right burke.
他真是个蠢货
Es un auténtico imbécil
あいつは本当にバカだ
그는 진짜 바보다.

Pronunciation

/bɜːk/

Usage Guide

Context: mild insult

Tone: insulting

✓ Do Say

Seems mild despite origin
尽管词源粗俗，但听起来温和
Parece suave a pesar de su origen
語源にもかかわらず穏やかに見える
어원에도 불구하고 가벼운 욕설

✗ Don't Say

Americans don't understand
美国人听不懂
Los americanos no lo entienden
アメリカ人には通じない
미국인은 이해하지 못함

Common Mistakes

Actually rhyming slang for very rude word

Origin & History

Cockney rhyming slang: 'Berkeley Hunt' = c*nt. The Berkeley Hunt was a famous hunt in Gloucestershire. Shortened to 'berk' or 'burke,' most users are unaware of the crude rhyme, making it seem mild.

Etymology: Cockney rhyming slang: Berkeley Hunt

First recorded: 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British TV

Regional notes: British. Hidden crude rhyming slang origin.

Story & Trivia

Many British people freely use 'burke/berk' without realizing it's shortened from Cockney rhyming slang for the c-word. This makes it one of the most commonly used crude terms that's socially acceptable because its origins are largely forgotten.

Variations

BurkeBerk