Butcher

Butchery is an ancient trade, and butchers' guilds were formed in England as early as 1272. A butcher might break carcasses into cuts and sell them in a shop, work in a slaughterhouse, or do both.

In 1900 enumerators were told to distinguish between a butcher, whose business was to slaughter cattle, swine and other stock, and a provision dealer, who sold meats. In old informal use the word also meant a person selling candy and drinks on trains, in theaters and at circuses.