meaning - Distinction: "What can I do you for?" vs. "What can I do for you?"


Usually, when being served the phrase "What can I do for you?" is used but sometimes I also hear "What can I do you for?" in quite the same context. So is there a difference or is it just a slip of the tongue?


Edit I also heard it amongst others in 'Allo 'Allo and once in The IT Crowd.



Answer



It's normally a joke.


It's 'funny' because "What can I do you for?" is actually a question that would never be asked, except rhetorically.


Do you, as in "I'm gonna do you in" is what a thug would say before he perpetrated violent acts against you. It could also be used by a police man, for example "Do him for possession", so do him is slang for arrest him.


There is also, the more pertinent definition of do you, which is what a swindler would think when tying to think how to trick you: "What can I do you for?" Where what they mean is "What can I get out of you with my tricks?"


Whereas "What can I do for you?" is someone simply asking how they can help. In the context of a barman, it would be asking what drink or other pub service they can provide.


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