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butcher paper

butcher paper

1 3.3
A strong paper used for wrapping meat to stop blood or juices leaking
  • noun
  • /ˈbʊtʃər ˈpeɪpər/
  • US
translation icon : papel para envolver carne
  • They'd taped butcher paper over the front windows so you couldn't see inside.
  • wrapped in butcher paper
  • white butcher paper
  • butcher paper-wrapped packages

Or you could even use a chalkboard, but I prefer butcher paper.

Examples

  • After purchasing the sausages, he noticed they were packaged in butcher paper that resists moisture.

  • They chose to wrap the fish in butcher paper to prevent any leaks during transport.

  • At the bottom of the trunk was a large package wrapped in butcher paper and tied with string.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Fred, a tall man whose face reminded me of a tiny wooden mallet, winked as he handed over the dog food rolled in white butcher paper.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The butcher carefully wrapped the steaks in butcher paper to keep them fresh for her customers.

Synonyms

paper
vsbutcher paper
1.0

Thin material made from wood pulp used for writing, printing and wrapping

is thicker and stronger to prevent leakage and handle heavy wrapping
wax paper
vsbutcher paper
6 2.5

A thin paper covered in wax used to wrap or line food

focuses on blocking blood and other wet leakage rather than only moisture
kraft paper
vsbutcher paper
1 3.4

A strong brown paper used for wrapping things and making bags

resists raw meat fluids and leaks rather than just offering strength
greaseproof paper
vsbutcher paper
  • UK
1 3.9

Paper that does not soak up oil and is used to line baking trays and wrap food

is intended to stop watery fluids and blood as well as grease

How Strong

kraft paper
1 3.4
butcher paper
  • US
1 3.3
wax paper
6 2.5
parchment
20 6.1

Surface Forms

butcher paper singular

Morphology

butcher + paper

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'butcher' modifies 'paper' to indicate paper used by butchers; a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer it is sturdy paper for wrapping meat. The meaning is compositional and follows common cross-linguistic patterns (e.g., 'butcher's paper'), so there is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift.

Etymology

Butcher paper comes from the days when the butcher wrapped fresh meat in thick paper so blood and juices would not leak. That's why today 'butcher paper' means a strong paper used for wrapping meat and other foods.