soda jerk

[ soh-duh jurk ]

noun

, Informal: Older Use.

1. a person who prepares and serves sodas and ice cream at a soda fountain.

soda jerk

noun

1. slang.
   a person who serves at a soda fountain

Word History and Origins

Origin of soda jerk¹

1910–15, Americanism; soda jerk shortened form of earlier (1880–85) soda jerker

Example Sentences

The Hollywood of the mind is this place where any soda jerk can become Clark Gable, and high school girls suddenly become movie stars.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead he saved $35 in earnings as a soda jerk to take seven flying lessons.

From New York Times

He was chosen to be the soda jerk because he was smart, efficient and honest.

From Los Angeles Times

The book, which provides travel information, also has lists like traditional soda jerk terms and Japan’s rarest fruits.

From New York Times

The “new normal” is a fossilized old swamp gargoyle fumbling through notes to answer a simple question about Russia from a soda jerk in an ice cream parlor.

From Washington Times