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, Jan 9, 21:17:09