# Barrow boy

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*Barrow boy* is a British expression with two meanings, occupational and social. Street traders since the 19th century (and perhaps earlier) sold seasonal goods (especially vegetables) from two-wheeled barrows.[1] London street traders were called [costermongers](/source/Costermonger) (from [costard](/source/Costard_(apple)), the mediaeval word for apple) and more generally barrow boys, since anything could be sold from a barrow (including clothes, crockery, etc.)

London's banks and investment brokerages were, since their foundation, privileged enclaves of wealth and high social standing. After [modernisation in the 1980s](/source/1980s#Economics) they ceased to be preserves of class privilege, and [Cockneys](/source/Cockneys) of proven ability were employed as traders; such staff might be sneered at as "barrow boys" by traditionalist bankers or brokers.[2]

In British [mountain rescue](/source/Mountain_rescue) terminology, a barrow boy is the person who guides a stretcher during a crag (steep rugged mass of rock) rescue.[3] Conventionally there are two barrow boys, one at each end of a horizontal stretcher (though it may be vertical) which may contain a casualty. The barrow boys may operate on fixed or moving ropes, and guide the progress of the stretcher to safer ground.

## See also

- [Mountain rescue in England and Wales](/source/Mountain_rescue_in_England_and_Wales)
- [Costermonger](/source/Costermonger)

## References

1. ["Costermonger's barrow purchased by Lord Shaftesbury when he was enrolled as a costermonger, 1875"](http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/XJ102446/Costermongers-barrow-purchased-by-Lord-Shaftesbury-when-he-was-enrolled-as-a-costermonger-1875U)

1. ["Blast from the past: The voice brokers still making themselves heard in hi-tech City"](https://www.standard.co.uk/business/blast-from-the-past-the-voice-brokers-still-making-themselves-heard-in-hitech-city-a3438071.html). *standard.co.uk*. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-13.

1. ["William to the rescue"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1505367/William-to-the-rescue.html). *telegraph.co.uk*. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 2017-02-13.

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