butcher

A butcher is a skilled tradesperson who specialises in meatcutting, breaking down animal carcasses into primal cuts, preparation and retailing of meat, and sometimes slaughtering animals, or participates within any combination of these tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat and poultry for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments. A butcher may be employed by supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and fish markets, slaughter houses, or may be self-employed. Butchery is an ancient trade, whose duties may date back to the domestication of livestock; its practitioners formed guilds in England as far back as 1272. Since the 20th century, many countries and local jurisdictions offer trade certifications for butchers in order to ensure quality, safety, and health standards but...