Definition

1. Noun:
   • A man employed to operate an elevator: An "elevator man" is a male worker whose job is to control the movement of an elevator, assist passengers, and often manage access to different floors of a building. This role was more common before the widespread adoption of automatic, self-service elevators.

Usage

• The term "elevator man" is a compound noun. It is used to specify the occupation and gender of the person operating the elevator. It is considered somewhat dated, as this specific job has largely been automated.
• Example: "The elderly elevator man greeted every tenant by name as he took them to their floors."

Examples

• Noun:
  • My grandfather worked as an elevator man in a downtown hotel for forty years.
  • The elevator man tipped his hat and asked, 'Which floor, please?'

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used in historical or nostalgic contexts to describe a past era of service.
  • The novel's setting in a 1920s department store featured a courteous elevator man in uniform.

Variants and Related Words

• Elevator operator: A more modern and gender-neutral term for the same occupation.
• Liftman (chiefly British English): The British English equivalent of "elevator man."
• Elevator attendant: Another synonym that emphasizes the service aspect of the role.
• Elevator boy: A dated term for a young male elevator operator.

Synonyms

• Lift operator (UK)
• Elevator operator
• Elevator attendant

Notes

• The role of an "elevator man" has become rare due to automation. The term itself is less common in contemporary English, with "elevator operator" being the preferred term when needed. The British term "liftman" follows the same pattern of declining usage.

Noun

1. a man employed to operate an elevator
   • in England they call an elevator man a liftman