pitchman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Informal, often journalistic or historical.
Quick answer
What does “pitchman” mean?
A person who attempts to sell goods or services, typically in a lively, persuasive, and direct manner, often at a market, fair, or door-to-door.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who attempts to sell goods or services, typically in a lively, persuasive, and direct manner, often at a market, fair, or door-to-door.
More broadly, a person who promotes or advertises something (e.g., an idea, product, or person) in a persistently persuasive or exaggerated way; a spokesperson or promoter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more commonly used in American English, reflecting its origins in the culture of traveling salesmen and market vendors. In the UK, a similar role might be referred to as a 'market trader,' 'hawker,' or simply a 'salesman.'
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry a slightly negative or dubious connotation, suggesting a person who might use trickery or exaggerated claims.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE historical and cultural contexts; relatively rare in contemporary BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “pitchman” in a Sentence
pitchman for [product/organisation]pitchman selling [product]pitchman known for [trait]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pitchman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was pitchmanning a new cleaning product on the high street.
American English
- He spent the summer pitchmanning knives at the state fair.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a direct sales role, often in marketing discussions about spokesperson effectiveness.
Academic
Rare; might appear in cultural studies, history, or sociology papers on commerce or advertising.
Everyday
Used to describe someone being overly persuasive in a sales context.
Technical
Not typically a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pitchman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pitchman”
- Using it for any salesperson (it implies a specific, demonstrative style). Confusing it with 'pitcher' (in baseball). Misspelling as 'pichman'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, as it often implies exaggerated or high-pressure sales tactics. However, it can be used neutrally to describe a skilled sales promoter.
A 'spokesperson' is a broader, more formal term for someone who represents an organisation. A 'pitchman' is a specific type of spokesperson focused on direct, persuasive selling, often with a performative flair.
Yes, in an extended sense. For example, 'He was the chief pitchman for the new economic policy' means he was its most vocal and persistent promoter.
It is used but is far less common than 'pitchman,' which is often used as a gender-neutral term for the role. Context or modification (e.g., 'female pitchman') is often used instead.
A person who attempts to sell goods or services, typically in a lively, persuasive, and direct manner, often at a market, fair, or door-to-door.
Pitchman is usually informal, often journalistic or historical. in register.
Pitchman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪtʃmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪtʃmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He could sell ice to an Eskimo.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a man standing on a PITCH (a sales area) making a sales PITCH to the crowd. Pitch + man = Pitchman.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSUASION IS A PERFORMANCE (e.g., 'He put on a real show for the customers').
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best describes a 'pitchman' at work?