barrow man

Definition

Alternative form of wheel-barrow man.

Etymology

Short for wheel-barrow man

Example Sentences

• "As the term "barrow men" is all but incomprehensible to readers of the present day, it may be pertinent to explain they were convicts who were hired out to do paving and similar work on the city streets. The jail at that time was at the southeast corner of Sixth and Walnut Streets. The five "barrow men," it appears, while at work on Market Street near Thirteenth accidentally discovered a drover who had in his possession a large sum of money just received from a sale of live stock."
• "In those days convicts from the prison at Sixth and Walnut streets were taken out to mend the highways, do grading, and other similar tasks. They were popularly known as barrow- men."
• "Essentially, the first reform took the "barrow men" off the streets and placed them within the prison walls, to labor there at the pleasure of the keeper/agent."