barman
Meaning
a man who serves drinks in a bar or pub.
Structure
Usage
the experienced barman mixed a classic martini with practiced ease.
he worked his way through university as a barman at a local pub.
the barman politely refused to serve another drink to the intoxicated customer.
Etymology
the word 'barman' is a relatively modern english compound, emerging in the late 19th century. it combines 'bar', which evolved from the physical barrier or counter in a tavern, with 'man', denoting the person working there. the term directly reflects the function and location of the role, with 'bar' specifying the commercial establishment for serving alcohol and 'man' specifying the gender of the server, a convention common in occupational titles of the period. it is a straightforward, descriptive formation within the english language.
Analysis
- bar: from old french 'barre' (beam, barrier), referring to the counter over which drinks are served. - man: from old english 'mann' (person, human being), specifically denoting a male adult in this compound.