cabin-boy

A cabin-boy brings a tray of food to the ship's captain.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A boy or young man employed to serve as an attendant on a ship, typically performing menial tasks: A "cabin-boy" is a junior crew member, often a youth, who assists the officers and passengers on a vessel by cleaning cabins, running errands, and performing other low-level duties.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cabin-boy was responsible for polishing the captain's boots every morning. (A young attendant performing simple chores on a ship.)
  • In old sea stories, a cabin-boy often dreams of becoming a sailor one day. (A junior crew member aspiring to a higher rank.)
  • The cabin-boy brought tea to the passengers in their quarters. (A servant delivering refreshments on a vessel.)

Advanced Usage

• "to work as a cabin-boy": to serve in the role of a junior attendant on a ship.

  • He started his maritime career working as a cabin-boy on a merchant vessel. (He began at the lowest rank on a commercial ship.)

• "cabin-boy duties": the specific tasks assigned to a cabin-boy, such as cleaning and serving.

  • The cabin-boy duties included sweeping the deck and making the officers' beds. (The routine chores of a junior crew member.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cabin (n): a private room on a ship or aircraft.

  • The captain's cabin was spacious and well-furnished. (A private compartment on a vessel.)

• Cabin crew (n): the staff responsible for serving passengers on an aircraft or ship.

  • The cabin crew ensured all passengers were comfortable during the voyage. (The service team on a transport.)

• Boy (n): a male child or young man.

  • The boy helped his father on the fishing boat. (A young male person.)

Synonyms

• Ship's boy: a young male servant on a ship (historical term).
• Midshipman: a trainee officer on a naval ship (more formal, higher rank).
• Page: a young attendant in a household or court (less specific to ships).

Phrasal Verbs

• Sign on as a cabin-boy: to formally agree to work as a cabin-boy on a ship.
  • He signed on as a cabin-boy for a voyage to the West Indies. (He enlisted in the role for a specific journey.)

Related Idioms

• No more than a cabin-boy: a phrase used to emphasize low status or inexperience.
  • He was no more than a cabin-boy when he first joined the crew. (He had the lowest rank with little authority.)