““I completely butchered it.””

It’s one of those throwaway lines people use when something goes wrong. A bad speech, a burnt dinner, a project that didn’t land. But every time I hear it, I wince.

I’ve worked in the butchery industry for years. My family run a business built on skill, care and consistency, and I’m lucky to work alongside butchers who are bloody good at what they do. So, when people use “butchered” to mean something rough or careless, it just doesn’t sit right.

This isn’t about being precious with words. But language shapes how we see things. And when “butchered” becomes shorthand for a total mess, it’s no surprise people don’t always understand what the job really involves.

A good butcher isn’t just someone who cuts meat. They understand anatomy, hygiene, food safety, yield, workflow and time pressure. They know how to get the most out of a carcass with the least amount of waste, and how to do it properly, day in and day out. It takes training, judgment and years of experience.

Using “butchered” as a punchline cheapens all of that. It reinforces the outdated idea that trades are rough or second rate, that they’re not skilled or thoughtful. But they are.

I know it might sound like a small thing to care about. But it speaks to something bigger.

We talk a lot about skills shortages across trades, and butchery is no different. Fewer apprentices are coming through, and more young people are pushed straight into university, even when a trade might suit them better. Part of the problem is perception.

If we keep using trades as metaphors for failure, we make them less appealing. We send the message that these jobs are a fallback, not something to aspire to. That’s not just unfair, it’s damaging.

Trades like butchery offer real mastery. They teach you how to solve problems, work with your hands, think on your feet. They build businesses and careers that can last generations, like mine.

I’m not saying we need to rewrite the dictionary. We all say things without thinking. But this is one worth thinking about.

So no, you didn’t butcher your speech or your sourdough starter. You just stuffed it up. It happens.

But let’s stop using the name of a skilled trade to describe something sloppy.

Stop Saying You “Butchered It”