Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tarboy
Noun
/ˈtɑːr.bɔɪ/
Definition
A tarboy is a young worker, often an apprentice, who helps in the making of tar or similar products, often by cleaning machinery or handling materials.
Examples
- The tarboy worked hard under the supervision of the experienced tar maker.
- In the early 19th century, many young boys were employed as tarboys in shipyards.
- Being a tarboy was considered a stepping stone to more skilled positions in the maritime industry.
Meaning
Tarboys were traditionally associated with tar, a thick, sticky substance derived from the distillation of organic materials, commonly used for waterproofing ships and roads.
Synonyms
- Apprentice
- Laborer
- Worker
