nightman
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who empties cesspools or performs other sanitary work at night: "nightman" historically referred to a worker employed to remove waste from privies or cesspools under the cover of darkness.
- A night watchman or guard: In some contexts, "nightman" can mean a person who guards property or premises during the night.
Usage Examples
Noun (sanitation worker):
- The nightman came to empty the cesspool after midnight. (The sanitation worker performed his duties during the night.)
Noun (guard):
- The nightman patrolled the factory until dawn. (The guard kept watch during the night shift.)
Advanced Usage
- Historical context: The term "nightman" is largely archaic in modern English, replaced by terms like "sanitation worker" or "night guard." It was most common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- In Victorian London, the nightman was a familiar figure in poorer districts. (The worker was a common sight in low-income areas.)
Variants and Related Words
Night (n): the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
- He worked during the night. (He labored in the dark hours.)
Night shift (n): a period of work during the night.
- The nightman worked the night shift. (He was employed during the nighttime.)
Synonyms
- Sanitation worker: a person employed to remove waste.
- Night watchman: a person who guards property at night.
Related Idioms
- "The nightman cometh": a humorous or dramatic phrase referencing the arrival of a night worker, often used in literature or jokes.
- When the clock struck midnight, the nightman cometh. (The worker arrived at the appointed hour.)
Note: This term is not commonly used in contemporary English and may be considered outdated or obscure.