blue button

Definitions

1. A colony of hydrozoan polyps of the species Porpita porpita
2. An unauthorized clerk in the stock exchange.
   UK, historical

Examples

“Unauthorized clerks or Blue Buttons can make⟳ enquiries in the House and ask⟳ for prices but may not enter⟳ into any contract, while Red Buttons are clerks entitled to work⟳ in the Settling or checking Room.”

“Then a blue button dashed to the box to pick⟳ up the call⟳.”

“When the market closed at 3.30 pm, the entire jobbing community exited the Stock⟳ Exchange⟳, walking in procession back to their offices, followed by a file⟳ of blue buttons struggling to carry⟳ cumbersome dealing books.”

CEFR level