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Berk vs Burke - What's the difference?

berk | burke |

In british slang terms the difference between berk and burke

is that berk is an idiot, in an affectionate sense while burke is variant spelling of berk.

As nouns the difference between berk and burke

is that berk is a fool, prat, twit while burke is variant spelling of berk.

As a verb burke is

to murder in the same manner as Burke, to kill by suffocation.

As a proper noun Burke is

{{surname|topographical|from=Anglo-Norman}} for someone who lived in a fortified place.

berk

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (British, slang, pejorative) A fool, prat, twit.
  • (British, slang) An idiot, in an affectionate sense.
  • (Cockney rhyming slang, vulgar) Cunt.

    • Usage notes

    It is not perceived to be excessively rude, perhaps because, whilst it is known for being a slang word, its origin in rhyming slang is not well known.

    See also

    * Belvoir (pronounced Beaver)

    References

    * Chambers Dictionary : Entry for berk * Cassell's Dictionary of Slang . Jonathon Green. Pub. Cassel & Co. ISBN 0-304-35167-9

    Anagrams

    * ----

    burke

    English

    Verb

    (burk)
  • (UK, slang) To murder in the same manner as Burke, to kill by suffocation
  • *1829 February 2 , Times (London), 3/5
  • *:As soon as the executioner proceeded to his duty, the cries of ‘Burke' him, '''Burke''' him—give him no rope’... were vociferated... ‘' Burke Hare too!’
  • (UK, slang, historical) To murder for the same purpose as Burke, to kill in order to have a body to sell to anatomists, surgeons,
  • *1833 , T. Hook, Parson's Daughter , II. i. 26
  • *:Perhaps he is Burked , and his body sold for nine pounds.
  • *1836 , Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers , :
    • ‘You don’t mean to say he was burked , Sam?’ said Mr. Pickwick, looking hastily round.
  • (UK, slang) To smother; to conceal, hush up, suppress.
  • *1835 , J. A. Roebuck. Dorchester Labourers , 6/1 (note)
  • *:The reporters left it out... Those who spoke in favour of the poor men, were what the reporters call burked .
  • * 1888 , Rudyard Kipling, Plain Tales from the Hills , Folio 2005, page 128:
    • He put away—burked —the Directors' letter, and went in to talk to Riley
  • :1953 , (Robert Graves), Poems , 4
  • ::Socrates and Plato burked the issue.

    • Related terms

    * To bishop

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (British, slang) Variant spelling of berk.

    • Anagrams

    * English eponyms