hatcheck girl
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A female checker: A woman or girl whose job is to temporarily take and store coats, hats, and other personal items from patrons at a venue such as a restaurant, theater, or nightclub, typically in exchange for a small fee or tip.
Usage
- The term "hatcheck girl" specifically refers to a female employee performing this service. It is a compound noun where "hatcheck" describes the service and "girl" specifies the gender of the worker, though the term is considered somewhat dated.
- This role involves giving the patron a ticket or claim check to retrieve their belongings later.
Examples
- Noun:
- The hatcheck girl took my coat and handed me a numbered tag.
- In the old nightclub, the hatcheck girl had a small booth near the entrance.
Advanced Usage
- The term evokes a specific historical or classic setting, often associated with early to mid-20th century urban entertainment venues.
- While "hatcheck girl" is a fixed term, the role itself is more neutrally described today as a "coat check attendant" or "cloakroom attendant," regardless of gender.
Variants and Related Words
- Coat check attendant (n): A person who staffs a coat check service. This is a more modern and gender-neutral term.
- Cloakroom attendant (n): Another term for a person who looks after coats and bags, often used in British English or in formal settings like theaters.
- Checker (n): A person who checks or takes items for temporary safekeeping. "Hatcheck girl" is a specific type of female checker.
Synonyms
- Coatroom girl: An informal synonym with similar meaning and dated connotations.
- Cloakroom girl: Similar to "coatroom girl," used especially in British contexts.
Related Phrases
- Hat check: The service or location itself.
- We left our bags at the hat check.
- Coat check ticket / claim check: The ticket given to retrieve belongings.
- Don't lose your coat check ticket.