Street
berk
What does berk mean?
A mild insult meaning a fool or idiot, derived from the vulgar rhyming slang 'Berkshire/Berkeley Hunt'.
"I felt a right berk turning up a day early."
Origin
Clip of 'Berkshire/Berkeley Hunt'; despite the crude source, 'berk' is now mild and mainstream.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'berk' mean?
It's a mild insult for a fool or idiot, as in 'I felt a right berk'.
Is 'berk' offensive?
It's now considered very mild and is used openly, even though its origin — 'Berkshire/Berkeley Hunt' rhyming with a crude word — is vulgar.
Where does 'berk' come from?
It's a clip of the rhyming slang 'Berkshire Hunt' (or 'Berkeley Hunt'), whose second word supplies the offensive rhyme. Most people using 'berk' are unaware of that source.
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