by Gordon
19. November 2009 14:02
More questions about slang from the TV series Minder. Why is Arthur's lockup referred to as a "slaughter"?
Slaughter: according to Eric Partridge, a slaughter is "the quiet secluded spot, generally a farm or walled car park, where theives transfer stolen goods from one vehicle to another, split consignments into easier-handled amounts, display items to receivers, and go about their unlawful occasions."
The phrase may be related to "slaughter-house", slang for somewhere a crime a has been committed. And it may also be related to "make a killing", meaning make a big profit.
Since Arthur's lock-up is usually full of knocked-off goods to sell onto shady characters this definition would fit.
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Tags: minder