TO HAVE A BEEF: the earliest record according to the 1811 Dictionary of The Vulgar Tounge; which suggests to 'cry beef' meant to give the alarm. Prior to that, in London at the time it was known that the traditional cry of 'STOP THIEF!' was mocked and drowned out by passing fellow criminals who loudly called 'HOT BEEF!' instead so as to confuse any law-abiding citizens thus allowing their homeboy to make a swift getaway/duss out. Now it all makes sense...
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