poor boy

noun

1. Southern U.S. (chiefly Gulf States). a hero sandwich.

Word History and Origins

Origin of poor boy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

It’s not a secret that Vartan identified with Andrew Carnegie, the hardscrabble Scottish industrialist who loved reading and vowed if he ever became rich, he would start libraries for poor boys like himself.

From Time

“When people come from out of town they always want to try a poor boy sandwich,” Gendusa says.

From The Daily Beast

“The poor boy sandwich is part of our history and our culture,” says Gendusa.

From The Daily Beast

The chance had come in my way, but in anticipating it I had somehow always contemplated operating on some poor boy or old woman.

From Project Gutenberg

With him was Marius's hound, which the poor boy had kept by him for company and protection in that dreadful time.

From Project Gutenberg

But do you imagine that you can succeed in Paris, a poor boy, without resources and protectors?

From Project Gutenberg

In walking across, I beheld the poor boy sitting on the ground, overcome with grief and astonishment, for he knew he had lost me.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, Pierre, I repeat it, I did not lose a gesture or the slightest change of expression in the poor boy's face.

From Project Gutenberg