berk

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.2.1 Usage notes 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 See also 1.3.3 References 1.4 Anagrams 2 Dutch 2.1 Pronunciation 2.2 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

The usage is dated to the 1930s. A shortened version of Berkeley Hunt, the hunt based at Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. In the Cockney rhyming slang, hunt is made to rhyme with cunt giving the word berk its original slang meaning.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /bɜː(ɹ)k/, SAMPA: /b3:(r)l/ɹ

  Rhymes: -ɜː(r)k

[edit] Usage notes

In both Berkely and Berkshire, berk is pronounced like bark (IPA: /bɑː(ɹ)k/). In other cases such as Cockney and American English pronunciaton, it rhymes with work.

[edit] Noun

berk (plural berks)

1. (British, slang, pejorative) A fool, prat, twit.
2. (British, slang) An idiot, in an affectionate sense.
3. (Cockney rhyming slang, vulgar) Cunt.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

• Belvoir (pronounced Beaver)

[edit] References

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

[edit] Anagrams

• Alphagram: bekr
• kerb

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[edit] Dutch

[edit] Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

berk m. (plural berken, diminutive berkje, diminutive plural berkjes)

1. birch