Meaning of barrow boy | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A boy or man who sells goods, especially fruits or vegetables, from a barrow; a costermonger.
   UK, dated
2. A financial industry worker from a working class or lower middle class family background.
   UK, broadly, derogatory, slang

Examples

“I pointed out to him that it was impossible for him to do that ... barrow boys to take⟳ him back to Manchester.”

“...at a London magistrate's court a young coster — a barrow boy — was summoned before me for selling rhubarb without a licence.”

“Operation London Bridge, also from 1975, tells the story of the busy station's redevelopment. Cutting neatly from the barrow boys of Borough Market to an aerial view⟳ of Borough Market Junction, the film uses time lapse photography to show⟳ the congestion rife in the area during the morning rush⟳ hour.”

“The "barrow boy" commodities trader may well have⟳ no aspirations to old-style middle class tastes.”

CEFR level