elevator girl
Definition
Noun: A female employee whose job is to operate an elevator, typically assisting passengers by controlling the car's movement, announcing floors, and ensuring safety and courtesy. This role was historically common in department stores and upscale hotels.
Usage
The term specifically refers to a woman or girl employed for this function. It is a compound noun where "elevator" specifies the place of work and "girl" specifies the gender and role of the worker. * In the 1950s, the elevator girl in the grand hotel greeted every guest with a smile. * The department store hired an elevator girl to manage the lift between the shopping floors.
Advanced Usage
- The term is now considered dated and potentially gender-specific. Modern, neutral equivalents like "elevator operator" are preferred.
- It can be used historically or nostalgically to evoke a specific era in service and retail industries.
- "to work as an elevator girl": to have the job of operating an elevator.
- Her first job was to work as an elevator girl at Macy's.
Variants and Related Words
- Elevator operator (n): The modern, gender-neutral term for a person employed to operate an elevator.
- Lift attendant (n): A synonymous term, primarily used in British English.
Synonyms
- Lift operator (chiefly British English)
- Elevator attendant
Antonyms
- Elevator passenger
- Customer
Related Phrases/Idioms
- A relic of the past: The role of the elevator girl is often described this way due to the automation of elevators.
- The position of elevator girl is a relic of the past.
Noun
-
a girl employed to operate an elevator
