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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2 |
why do we call it "bussing" a table?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
I'd guess it's from busboy which in turn is probably from omnibus boy 'somebody who has many tasks'.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 |
1. Wouldn't "bussing a table" be kissing it?
2. What about that "bussing" and "busing"?
3. Isn't "omnibus boy" a colloquial rendition of "I'm the bus boy"? :0)
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
1/2. it seems not; both M-W and AHD go with busing for transporting by bus or removing dirty dishes, but both give bussing as a variant
(kissing is bussing only) ((Wordsmith's spell-check accepts only busing))
3. <groan>
-joe (abusing we will go) friday
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,067
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,067 |
why do we call it "bussing" a table? Must be an American term. Never heard of it. What does it mean - what kind of table are you referring to? A dining table? A graph with a certain number of columns and rows in it? A schedule that tells you when the bus or train comes?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956 |
The boys are back in town!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155
member
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member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 155 |
The -boy part of busboy being objectionable to some persons, many employers have gone to using busser instead of busboy, I've noticed.
I think there's a movie industry position with boy in it, but I can't think of it right now.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 |
This does refer to a dining table, Pook. "Busing" the table means removing the dirty dishes and wiping it down. At some fast food restaurants, they expect you to bus your own table, but some not, and some just take care of it if you don't. I think a portion of the tip usually goes to the bus persons. Fairly important, but thankless job, much like teaching.... :0)
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
The term is best boy. There are two flavors: grip and gaffer. They are assistants to the key grip (who moves stuff around on a film set) and gaffer (electrician).
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
and gaffer (electrician). hence, gaffer('s) tape.
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