counterman

American  

[koun-ter-man] / ˈkaʊn tərˌmæn /

noun

plural

countermen

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

---

Etymology

Origin of counterman

First recorded in 1850–55; counter ¹ + man

Example Sentences

These days, Iqbal, the head chef, might call Asad, the sous-chef and counterman, late at night with his latest inspiration, like a dish the pair once offered as a special: cheesesteak samosas.

From Washington Post • Jan. 3, 2022

Imagine Edward Hopper’s 1942 painting “Nighthawks” recomposed today, with the three late-night diners and counterman all gazing at screens.

From New York Times • May 12, 2018

Tucker, the counterman, said: “I did have a little bit more faith in him a year ago compared to what I do now.”

From The Guardian • Jan. 20, 2018

But from your counter seat, you can observe the counterman make egg creams the old-fashioned way, by spritzing rapidly stirred cold milk and syrup with a jet of seltzer from a bottle.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2014

Mickey the counterman heard him and left off making a Coca-Cola.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden