General
bossman
What does bossman mean?
What you call the man behind the counter — chicken shop, off-licence, corner shop, barbers. A respectful catch-all when you don't know his name. Doesn't imply he actually owns the place.
"Yo bossman, can I get a three-wing meal with a Rubicon?"
Origin
MLE; popularised through London's chicken shop and corner-shop culture. The female counterpart 'bosswoman' exists but is much rarer.
Frequently asked questions
What does bossman mean?
Bossman is an informal way to address a shopkeeper or service worker.
How do you use bossman in a sentence?
"Bossman, can I get a chicken and chips?"
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