pot-boy
Definition
- Noun:
- A young male server in a tavern: A "pot-boy" (also spelled "potboy") is a boy or young man employed to serve drinks and perform menial tasks in a pub, tavern, or similar establishment. The word combines "pot" (referring to a drinking vessel) and "boy" (a young male worker).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The pot-boy carried a tray of ale mugs to the thirsty customers. (The young server delivered drinks.)
- In the 19th century, a pot-boy often worked long hours for little pay. (A historical reference to a tavern worker.)
Advanced Usage
"to work as a pot-boy": to be employed in a tavern as a young male servant.
- He started his career as a pot-boy before becoming a barman. (He began as a low-level helper.)
"pot-boy's duties": tasks such as cleaning glasses, fetching drinks, and assisting the bartender.
- The pot-boy's duties included scrubbing the pots and wiping down the counter. (His responsibilities were practical and manual.)
Variants and Related Words
Potboy (n): an alternative spelling of "pot-boy," often used in modern contexts.
- The potboy hurried to refill the tankards. (A variant spelling with the same meaning.)
Pot-girl (n): a female equivalent of a pot-boy, though less common historically.
- The pot-girl served the ladies in the tea room. (A female server in a similar role.)
Synonyms
- Server: a person who serves food or drink.
- Tapster: a person who draws and serves alcoholic drinks in a tavern.
- Barman: a man who serves drinks behind a bar (though often more senior).
Related Idioms
"Pot-boy's lot": a phrase referring to the humble or lowly position of a tavern helper.
- He was content with the pot-boy's lot, as it gave him a roof and a meal. (He accepted his modest role.)
"To be treated like a pot-boy": to be given menial tasks or disrespectful treatment.
- She felt she was treated like a pot-boy, always fetching things for others. (She was unfairly assigned low-status duties.)