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Barrow Boy
''Barrow boy'' is a UK, British expression with two meanings, occupational and social. Street traders since the 19th century (and perhaps earlier) sold seasonal goods (especially vegetables) from two-wheeled barrows. London street traders were called costermongers (from Costard (apple), costard, the mediaeval word for apple) and more generally barrow boys, since anything could be sold from a barrow (including clothes, crockery, etc.) London's banks and investment brokerages were, since their foundation, privileged enclaves of wealth and high social standing. After modernisation in 1980s#Economics, the 1980s they ceased to be preserves of class privilege, and Cockneys of proven ability were employed as traders; such staff might be sneered at as "barrow boys" by traditionalist bankers or brokers. In British mountain rescue terminology, a barrow boy is the person who guides a stretcher during a crag (steep rugged mass of rock) rescue. Conventionally there are two barrow boys, one at e ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Costermonger
A costermonger, coster, or costard is a street seller of fruit and vegetables in British towns. The term is derived from the words ''costard'' (a medieval variety of apple) and ''monger'' (seller), and later came to be used to describe hawkers in general. Some historians have pointed out that a hierarchy existed within the costermonger class and that while costermongers sold from a handcart or animal-drawn cart, mere hawkers carried their wares in a basket. Costermongers met a need for rapid food distribution from the wholesale markets (e.g., in London: Smithfield for meat, Spitalfields for fruit and vegetables or Billingsgate for fish) by providing retail sales at locations that were convenient for the labouring classes. Costermongers used a variety of devices to transport and display produce: a cart might be stationary at a market stall; a mobile (horse-drawn or wheelbarrow) apparatus or a hand-held basket might be used for light-weight goods such as herbs and flowers. Cost ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
