Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
saloon keeper

saloon keeper

1 6.9
A person who owns or runs a bar
  • noun
  • /səˈluːn ˈkiːpər/
  • US
translation icon : tabernero

Of course, it's not surprising they get a nice vibe from lawyer and rejected Westworld saloon keeper Ty Cobb.

Examples

  • PRACTICALLY EVERY SALOON KEEPER IN TOWN IS TRYING TO STEAL HER AWAY FROM ME.

    Copacabana (1947)

  • For example, the Omaha Monitor, a black weekly newspaper, complained of discrimination practiced by saloon keepers against prospective black patrons.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The experienced saloon keeper served drinks to customers at the bustling tavern every night.

  • After years of hard work, Jack became a successful saloon keeper known for his friendly atmosphere.

  • The saloon keeper greeted each visitor with a warm smile as they walked through the door.

Synonyms

tavern keeper
vssaloon keeper
1 5.5

A person who owns or runs a small bar serving food and drink

focuses mainly on selling alcoholic drinks rather than broader communal services

Surface Forms

saloon keeper singular
saloon keepers plural

Morphology

saloon + keeper

The meaning 'person who owns or manages a saloon' is directly derivable from combining 'saloon' (an establishment serving alcoholic beverages) with 'keeper' (an agentive noun meaning someone who looks after or manages something). This agentive compound pattern is common and predictable in English (and mirrored in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Saloon keeper The name saloon keeper comes from the old idea of someone who 'kept', or looked after, a public room for drinks. A saloon keeper looked after the saloon and served customers, so today it means the owner or manager of a 'saloon' or 'tavern'.