shoeboy
9.9
A boy who shines or cleans shoes, often in the past
- noun
- /ˈʃuːbɔɪ/
- Archaic
:
limpiabotas
- Every morning, the shoeboy would set up his stand, ready to shine shoes for the passersby.
- a shoeboy
Examples
-
The little shoeboy polished shoes for customers in the busy town square.
-
I asked that little shoeboy three times, said Mr. Henchy.
Academic text (1991) -
Mean little shoeboy of hell!
Academic text (1991) -
I asked the little shoeboy....
Academic text (1991) -
In the 19th century, a shoeboy often worked outside theaters, waiting for patrons to have their shoes cleaned.
Synonyms
2
8.5
A person who shines shoes and boots for money
is used for a young worker rather than for any paid shoe polisher
1
9.9
A young person who cleans and cares for boots in a house or the army
focuses on cleaning shoes in general rather than specialized boot care
9.9
A person who cleans and shines shoes on street corners
is used for a young male worker rather than an unspecified adult
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word shoeboy comes from the simple parts shoe and boy, meaning a young worker who 'shines' or 'cleans' shoes. That's why a shoeboy is a young person hired to polish and look after other people's shoes.