barrow man



barrow man

1. A boy or man who sells goods (usually fruit, vegetables, or other comestibles) from a handcart (barrow) on the streets. Primarily heard in UK. When spring arrives, you can hear the calls of barrow men selling their goods along the avenues.
2. obsolete A prison convict whose sentence is transportation (deportation to a penal colony, such as the Americas or Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries). The term refers to Woolwich prison bulk inmates whose primary labor was to haul dirt and bricks in wheelbarrows. Primarily heard in UK. I was once a barrow man on the street, selling fruit to the people; but then I killed a man for money, and now I am a barrow man set for Australia.
See also: barrow, man

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
JohnaJAHN-əEnglish (Rare)
Hyacinthe-French
RossaROS-sahItalian
Katelijnkah-tə-LIENDutch
Matteamaht-TE-ahItalian
Rutherford['rʌðəfəd]