call-boy

Definition

Noun: - A young male attendant, especially in a hotel or theater, whose job is to summon or call people (e.g., actors, guests) when needed. In theatrical contexts, a call-boy is specifically a boy or young man who reminds actors of their cues to go on stage.

Usage Examples

• (A young male attendant responsible for summoning performers.)
• (A young male employee providing messenger services.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical context: The term "call-boy" was more common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in theaters and large hotels. Today, it is largely archaic, replaced by terms like "stage manager" or "bellhop."
  • The call-boy's duties included lighting gas lamps and carrying messages between the stage and the green room. (A historical job description.)

Variants and Related Words

• Call-girl (n): a female prostitute who is contacted by telephone. (Note: this is a different meaning and context; not directly related to the attendant role.)
• Bell-boy (n): a hotel employee who carries luggage and runs errands; a synonym for call-boy in hotel settings.
  • The bell-boy helped the guests with their suitcases. (A hotel attendant.)

Synonyms

• Bellhop: a hotel employee who carries luggage and performs services for guests.
• Page: a young male attendant, often in a hotel or legislative setting, who delivers messages or runs errands.
• Usher: a person who guides people to their seats, especially in a theater (though not identical in duties).

Related Idioms

• "Call the shots": to be in charge or make decisions. (Not directly related to call-boy, but shares the word "call".)
  • The director calls the shots in the theater, not the call-boy. (The director makes the important decisions.)

Notes

• The term "call-boy" is considered outdated and may carry connotations of a subordinate or menial role. In modern usage, it is rarely used outside of historical descriptions or specific jargon.