Butt Load
Contrary to popular belief, this phrase has nothing to do with arses… and everything to do with barrels.
That confusion probably helped it stand the test of time.
Today, it’s used to colourfully describe a large amount of something:
“I’ve got a butt load of emails.”
“They made a butt load of money.”
“We’ve got a butt load of work to get through.”
📆 1400s origins
🛢️ A butt was a large barrel commonly used in maritime trade.
🍷 It typically held around 450–500 litres of wine, ale, oil, or spirits.
📐 A butt load quite literally meant the full contents of one butt barrel.
The term comes from Medieval Latin 'buttis', meaning a barrel or large cask.
Fun Facts
A tun was even bigger than a butt. About 1,000 litres.
That’s where “a ton of” comes from.
-⚓️-
In Tudor England, wine imports were often taxed by the butt, not by volume.
The taxman loved a good butt.
The Maritime Origins Series
Maritime Origins is a storytelling series created by Jason Nangle, Founder of Angle Recruitment, a global maritime recruitment and executive search firm.
The series explores the fascinating history behind everyday phrases that originated at sea, as well as the remarkable stories, traditions and characters that have shaped maritime culture.
Many sayings still used today were first spoken by sailors navigating the challenges of life on board ships. Alongside these phrase origins, the series also highlights lesser-known maritime stories, legends and historical moments from the world of shipping.
Through short stories and visual posts, Maritime Origins connects the language, heritage and traditions of seafarers with the modern maritime industry.
New posts in the series launch every Tuesday on LinkedIn and are then shared across other platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Follow
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