counterman

[ koun-ter-man ]

noun

, plural count·er·men.

1. a person who waits on customers from behind a counter, counter, count, as in a cafeteria.

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterman¹

First recorded in 1850–55; counter ¹ + man

Example Sentences

Before he moved in the late 1960s to San Francisco, where he started acting at the American Conservatory Theater, he worked as a counterman at several New York delicatessens.

From New York Times

I walked into the place, where an older counterman greeted me and quickly filled my order.

From New York Times

As he launched his acting career, Mr. Constantine supported himself by working as a night watchman at a department store, counterman at a hamburger chain and barker at a shooting gallery.

From Washington Post

At 10 minutes to the hour, he got up and made a motion indicating to the counterman that he was paying for our lunches.

From New York Times

The counterman, a younger man with a big smile, listened to her patiently.

From New York Times