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29 Dec 02 - 12:26 AM (#854842) Subject: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Jimmy C I have heard the term " Straw Boss" in quite a few songs. I imagine it means some kind of supervisor, am I right. How and in what kind of job did this phrase originate ?. I know there are many out there who can supply the answer. Thanks. Jimmy |
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29 Dec 02 - 08:15 AM (#854944) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Allan C. A straw boss is generally second in command or perhaps an even lesser supervisor. I haven't found a resource that indicates the reason for the use of the word, "straw" to differentiate this foreman from the primary boss. I suspect, though, it is one of those odd terms, developed particularly for the purpose in much the same way as "grass" is used in the term, "grass widow" to differentiate a divorcée from a woman who lost her husband by way of his death. |
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29 Dec 02 - 08:31 AM (#854946) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: curmudgeon Possibly chosen for the job by drawing straws? |
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29 Dec 02 - 08:49 AM (#854950) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Allan C. One resource I found associates straw with worthlessness. Maybe this is meant in the way that a straw immitation of a man (such as a scarecrow) might appear to be a man but is not the real thing. Just guessing. |
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29 Dec 02 - 09:14 AM (#854957) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: curmudgeon From Am. Heritage dictionary: Informal A worker who acts as a boss or crew leader in addition to performing regular duties. Does this make a shantyman a straw boss? |
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29 Dec 02 - 09:18 AM (#854958) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: McGrath of Harlow It's a similar kind of meaning as "straw vote" - implying provisional, unoffocial, temporary, like a construction made of straw. Whether it's got anything to do with drawing straws as a way of choosing or marking a voice, I'd rather doubt. |
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29 Dec 02 - 09:41 AM (#854964) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: mack/misophist I;ve had several 'straw bosses' in mu life. I suspect the term refers to a working man's straw hat, as opposed to a full time supervisor's felt hat. No evidence, one way or the other, but I grew up in an area where the term had been used since it was young and my explanation just feels right. |
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29 Dec 02 - 10:11 AM (#854972) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Amos Something made of straw is insubstantial, hence not authoritative, a middleman without real executive power. A straw boss is a boss who is just rrelaying the control of a real boss. From the American Heritage:"A worker who acts as a boss or crew leader in addition to performing regular duties" Like a paper tiger. Related to a "straw man", an argument without much substance. Am Her offers for "straw": 4a. Something of minimal value or importance. b. Something with too little substance to provide support in a crisis: Near the end we were grasping at straws. A |
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29 Dec 02 - 10:14 AM (#854974) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: curmudgeon I think now that Amos has got it all together so it makes sense -- Tom |
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29 Dec 02 - 10:17 AM (#854976) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Amos As a historical referent of interest Barnabe Googe in the 1560's used the expression this way: "Nobylitie begins to fade, and Carters up do sprynge," he cries; the chief estate is in the hands of Sir John Straw and Sir John Cur, who, though they think themselves noble, are but fish which, "bred up in durtye Pooles, wyll ever stynke of mudde." (Eglogs, Epytaphes and Sonettes (1563)) |
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29 Dec 02 - 10:31 AM (#854978) Subject: RE: BS: Straw Boss ? From: Jimmy C Very interesting, here I thought it was perhaps someone who sat on able of hay while others worked. Thanks for all the input. |