bossman
English
Etymology
boss + man. First used in the late 1940s, though the usage of "boss" by itself as a form of contempt or to show that one is on their guard dates back to 1552. Term seems to have originally been a pejorative term for a local official.
Alternative forms
- boss-man
Pronunciation
- (US, New England): IPA(key): /bɔsmæn/
Audio (New England) (file)
Noun
bossman (plural bossmen) (Plural form is rare. See usage notes.)
- (vocative) Someone whose name is unknown. Usually denotes that one is chary or extremely unfamiliar with the person being spoken to.
- You should watch what you say, bossman.
- I don't know what to tell you, bossman...
- (vocative) Someone who appears stalwart and/or dauntless in both disposition and appearance. Not a term used between those who are close. Usually seen as complimentary.
- You really showed them, bossman. What's your name?
- Hey, bossman. It's been a while since you last travelled through here. Are there any new goings-on?
Usage notes
- Neither of the two senses of this term are synonymous with the colloquial meanings of terms such as "boss", "chief" and "governor."
- Not the same as "boss man" or "the boss man", an endearing term used to refer to one's employer.
- Because this term is a vocative, the plural is seldom used.
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