When I hear "Butcher Block" what does that mean? History of the Butcher Block: The modern butcher block was developed in the1880's and was called at the time "the Sanitary Meat Block". It was developed to address a need by the meat cutting industry for a more sanitary and stable cutting surface. Now the term is used to mean either end grain or edge grain counter tops and cutting clocks fut not normally plank or face grain style.