More Burtons
Gone for a Burton is the British equivalent of the idiom bought the farm, it also originated among servicemen during World War II. It is thought that the Burton referred to is a brand of beer, and so is a euphemism for someone who is gone. Obviously, it us much more pleasant to imagine a missing comrade is at the bar drinking a pint rather than dead. Considering the fact that the idiom gone for a Burton was most often applied to a combat pilot who may have died in the ocean, or in the “drink”, this origin story is most plausible. Today, the phrase may also mean something that is ruined or broken. Note that the word Burton in gone for a Burton is capitalized, as it is a proper noun.
Posted By: promethian1 on January 9th 2019 at 21:17:09
Message Thread
- gone for a Burton... (Other Football) - Pixelman, Jan 9, 21:13:19
- WWII (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Jan 9, 21:15:51
- More Burtons (Other Football) - promethian1, Jan 9, 21:17:09
- Wagon wheels (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Jan 9, 21:29:12
- Going, going gone. Looks like they are going for an Ipswich next. (n/m) (Other Football) - Pixelman, Jan 9, 21:16:55
- Don’t count in the EFL Cup (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Jan 9, 21:22:48
- More Burtons (Other Football) - promethian1, Jan 9, 21:17:09
- WWII (n/m) (Other Football) - Jumbo1, Jan 9, 21:15:51
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