strapper

Definition

A large, strong, robust person (usually a man).

Etymology

From strap + -er, principally strap + -er (agent noun suffix). The sense referring to a poorly producing milk cow (from strap + -er) came from a dialectal sense of the verb strap as a troponym of milk: not even the most skilful milking action could coax enough milk from the udder.

Example Sentences

• "I was, however, but a very brief period employed as a strapper, as from the care and pains which I took in cleaning and watering the horses they soon mended in their jaded, worn-out appearance, for they were regularly fed, because I was regularly sober, a state, I have been informed, in which my predecessor was never in after mid-day."
• "On large establishments a head-man superintends the strappers, and the general management of the horses."
• "A boy was called a strapper because when you cleaned and dressed a horse properly, you had a nice flat towel, and you used to hit them on all the muscles."

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