Words & TermsWork, bush and rural life
butchy boy
A regional or family nickname for a woodlouse.
In a sentence
As children, they called every woodlouse a butchy boy.
Where it came from
Probably a playful extension of butcher boy; exact origin is uncertain. The ANDC identifies butchy boy as an Australian informal name for a woodlouse; other evidence places it especially around Melbourne.
- Where used
- Especially Victoria and Melbourne; distribution not absolute
- Use today
- Regional or family nickname; distribution requires checking