What it means
Nickname for someone who’s always fumbling and dropping things, like their fingers are slick with butter. You’ll hear it when a mate launches their phone, spills a drink, or can’t keep hold of their keys. It’s usually light banter rather than a proper dig, the kind of thing you say while helping them pick everything up again at the worst possible moment, every time.
Usage examples
"Nice one, butterfingers, you’ve dropped the pint again and soaked my trainers. Give it here before you redecorate the pub floor."
"Right, butterfingers, that is the third mug this week, maybe stick to the plastic ones until I find the receipt for the new set."
"He fielded fine all summer in the back garden, but the moment a real cricket ball came at him in the school match he became a proper butterfingers."
"Oi, butterfingers, catch your phone before it swan-dives into the kebab shop again."
"She’s such a butterfingers when she’s tired, dropped the keys, the charger, then somehow nearly launched her coffee too."
Voice comments
No one has left their voice yet. Break the ice.
Where it comes from
Recorded in English since the 19th century, with a famous early hit in Dickens's The Pickwick Papers from 1836. It first pops up in a cricketing jab for someone who can't hold a catch. The image does all the work: if your fingers were buttery, everything would slip straight out of your hands.
Other ways to say it
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