choreman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low Frequency / ObsoleteHistorical / Archaic; Regional (esp. Canada, Northern US, Australia/NZ)
Quick answer
What does “choreman” mean?
A man employed to do minor routine tasks and odd jobs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A man employed to do minor routine tasks and odd jobs.
A worker, typically in an industrial, agricultural, or domestic setting, whose role involves a variety of unskilled or semi-skilled manual tasks not covered by specialized workers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic in both varieties. Historical usage suggests it was somewhat more common in American, Canadian, and Antipodean contexts (e.g., mining, logging camps, large estates) than in mainstream British English.
Connotations
Connotes old-fashioned manual labor, often in rural, farm, or camp settings. May carry a slightly rustic or humble connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage. Might be encountered in historical novels, archives, or by older speakers in certain regions.
Grammar
How to Use “choreman” in a Sentence
[N] worked as a choremanThe [N] hired a choreman[N], the choreman, was responsible for...choreman for [an organization/estate]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts. Historically might refer to a low-level general worker.
Academic
Only found in historical, sociological, or regional studies discussing labor history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
Not a technical term in any modern field. Has historical use in agriculture, mining, and forestry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “choreman”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “choreman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choreman”
- Spelling: 'choareman', 'chorman'. Plural: 'choremen' (not 'choremans'). Mistaking it for a modern job title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. Modern equivalents are 'handyman', 'maintenance worker', or 'labourer'.
Historically, the term was gendered ('man'), reflecting the language and labor norms of its time. The modern equivalent roles are gender-neutral.
A choreman's duties were broader and often outdoor (fencing, minor repairs, animal care), while a janitor's role is typically focused on cleaning and indoor maintenance.
It's important for understanding historical texts, regional literature, and the evolution of language and labor. It illustrates how specific job roles have changed or disappeared.
A man employed to do minor routine tasks and odd jobs.
Choreman is usually historical / archaic; regional (esp. canada, northern us, australia/nz) in register.
Choreman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɔːmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɔːrmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) busy as a choreman”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A CHORE-man does all the CHORES.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS A TOOL FOR GENERAL TASKS (The worker is conceptualized as a multi-purpose implement for minor jobs).
Practice
Quiz
In which modern context would you LEAST likely encounter the term 'choreman'?