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callboy

callboy

8.9
A person who tells actors when to go on stage
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːlˌbɔɪ/
  • Jargon
translation icon : llamador
  • The callboy made sure every actor was ready for their entrance during the play.

Examples

  • The director relied on the callboy to keep the backstage area organized and efficient.

  • The callboy announced that the show was about to start.

  • After years as a callboy, he learned the importance of timing in theater productions.

  • I saw a callboy backstage during the play.

  • The callboy made sure every actor was ready for their entrance during the play.

  • After years as a callboy, he learned the importance of timing in theater productions.

  • The callboy announced that the show was about to start.

Synonyms

caller
vscallboy
127 4.0

A person who calls out instructions at events like dances

focuses only on backstage theatre work notifying performers when to go onstage

Surface Forms

callboy singular
callboys plural

Morphology

callboy = call + boy (transparent) = call + boy

Direct compound formed from 'call' (a summons/notification) + 'boy' (person who performs the calling), matching the occupational meaning in theatre.

Etymology

The word callboy comes from the parts call ('to tell someone to come') and boy ('a young man'). In a theatre, a callboy was a young worker who 'called' actors when it was time to go on stage, so the modern theatre meaning is the person who notifies actors.