Berk (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Berk"?

Berk is derogatory term for an idiot or a fool, but it is considered less harsh.

Actually, the term is derived from cockney rhyming slang. It is a shortened version of Berkshire Hunt, which suggests it shouldn't be considered less harsh at all!

Table of Contents

  • English Proverbs and Idioms Test
  • More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Berk (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • Don't put glass in the landfill bin, you berk.
  • Try not to be an argumentative berk tonight, Simon.
  • She constantly takes short-cuts that undermine the project, proving that she's bit of a berk as a project manager.
  • His lack of common sense and poor decision-making skills indicate that he's something of a berk.

Previous and Next Sayings

English Proverbs and Idioms Test

More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms

Help Us Improve Grammar Monster

  • Do you disagree with something on this page?
  • Did you spot a typo?

Find Us Quicker!

  • When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.