copygirl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, dated, potentially offensive
Quick answer
What does “copygirl” mean?
A woman whose job is to deliver messages and perform minor clerical tasks within an office, especially in a newspaper or advertising agency. Historically a female counterpart to 'copyboy'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman whose job is to deliver messages and perform minor clerical tasks within an office, especially in a newspaper or advertising agency. Historically a female counterpart to 'copyboy'.
A term used (often historically or pejoratively) to refer to a young woman, typically in a publishing, media, or advertising environment, who performs basic tasks such as delivering copy, running errands, or making coffee. Conveys connotations of an entry-level, often menial, role.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties understand the term. It is equally dated in both. There is no significant regional variation in meaning.
Connotations
Equally outdated and potentially demeaning in both BrE and AmE. May evoke mid-20th century office culture.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both regions. More likely found in historical novels, period dramas, or discussions about workplace history.
Grammar
How to Use “copygirl” in a Sentence
She worked as a copygirl.The agency employed several copygirls.He remembered the copygirl who brought the proofs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Obsolete. Would be considered inappropriate in modern HR/job description contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or gender studies discussing 20th-century office work and gendered occupational titles.
Everyday
Virtually never used. If used, it would be in a historical anecdote or as a pointed criticism.
Technical
Not a technical term in any modern field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “copygirl”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “copygirl”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copygirl”
- Using it as a modern job title.
- Assuming it is a neutral or complimentary term.
- Confusing it with 'copywriter', a skilled professional.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is considered outdated, gendered, and potentially demeaning. Modern, neutral terms like 'office assistant' or 'messenger' are appropriate.
Typical duties included delivering physical copies of articles or advertisements between departments, running errands, making tea or coffee, and performing light clerical work.
The direct historical equivalent is 'copyboy'. Both terms are now obsolete.
No, not at all. A copywriter is a skilled professional who writes advertising or promotional text. A 'copygirl' performed menial, non-creative tasks. Confusing them is a significant error.
A woman whose job is to deliver messages and perform minor clerical tasks within an office, especially in a newspaper or advertising agency. Historically a female counterpart to 'copyboy'.
Copygirl is usually informal, dated, potentially offensive in register.
Copygirl: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒpɪɡɜːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːpiɡɜːrl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a girl running with a 'copy' of a news story in a 1950s movie. The image is outdated, just like the term.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A SUBORDINATE MESSENGER (outdated, problematic metaphor embedded in the term).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'copygirl' be most appropriately used today?