potboy — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A boy employed in a plant nursery to tap clay pots with a stick for their ringing sound, indicating whether the plant required watering.

   Examples

   GC&HTJ 1985 volume 198 page 17

2. A boy employed as waiter to serve (pots of) drinks, as in a tavern.

   Examples

   I put on my kitchen potboy disguise and rode down to B-1 in an elevator that smelled like chicken soup, barbecue sauce, and Jack Daniel's.

3. A boy or man employed in a public house to collect empty pots or glasses.

   Usage

   • UK usage

   Examples

   (“Hoo-roa,” ejaculates a pot-boy in a parenthesis, “put the kye-bosh on her, Mary.”)

Noun

1. a male worker in an inn or public house who serves customers and does various chores

   Synonyms

   potman

   Broader terms

   employeemanadult male