Barrow boy is a British expression with two meanings, occupational and social. Street traders since the 19th century (and perhaps earlier) sold seasonal goods (especially vegetables) from two-wheeled barrows.[1] London street traders were called costermongers (from costard, the mediaeval word for apple) and more generally barrow boys, since anything could be sold from a barrow (including clothes, crockery, etc.)
London's banks and investment brokerages were, since their foundation, privileged enclaves of wealth and high social standing. After modernisation in the 1980s they ceased to be preserves of class privilege, and Cockneys of proven ability were employed as traders; such staff might be sneered at as "barrow boys" by traditionalist bankers or brokers.[2]
In British mountain rescue terminology, a barrow boy is the person who guides a stretcher during a crag (steep rugged mass of rock) rescue.[3] Conventionally there are two barrow boys, one at each end of a horizontal stretcher (though it may be vertical) which may contain a casualty. The barrow boys may operate on fixed or moving ropes, and guide the progress of the stretcher to safer ground.
In more generic terms, a Barrow boy may also refer to a boy from a place called Barrow.
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References edit
- ^ "Costermonger's barrow purchased by Lord Shaftesbury when he was enrolled as a costermonger, 1875".
- ^ "Blast from the past: The voice brokers still making themselves heard in hi-tech City". standard.co.uk. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ "William to the rescue". telegraph.co.uk. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2017.