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A comment on Scientists Discover New Heavy-Metal Molecule 'Berkelocene'. Parent comment

Re:Scientists Discover New Heavy-Metal Molecule 'Berkelocene' by robocat on Thursday March 27, 2025 @07:09AM (#43492345)
In my childhood in New Zealand I remember berk used to mean plonker/fool.

Wiktionary says:

  berk (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) a fool, a prat, a twit, etc. Although the term remains in fairly wide use, its specific origin and meaning in rhyming slang is less well known, lessening its vulgarity. Synonyms see fool and idiot.
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Re:Scientists Discover New Heavy-Metal Molecule 'Berkelocene' by defrost on Thursday March 27, 2025 @07:16AM (#43492384)
In the AU / NZ domain the Burke and Wills expedition of 1860-61 helped, fairly or unfairly, cement the association of 'Burke' with foolish.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_and_Wills_expedition

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