water carrier

American  

noun

1. a person who carries water, as to a body of troops.

2. a pipe, duct, or tank for conveying water.

3. a ship that transports goods or persons by waterway or sea routes.

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Water Carrier ¹ British  

noun

1. the constellation Aquarius, the 11th sign of the zodiac

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water carrier ² British  

noun

1. informal  a football player who is regarded as hard-working and competent but is not a star player

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Etymology

Origin of water carrier

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

At Manchester United he was usually a defensive midfielder - a "water carrier", to quote BBC pundit Pat Nevin.

From BBC

Finding a new role for a ship with such a pedigree was a challenge - but it was eventually sold to a shipping company in Azerbaijan where it operates as a drinking water carrier, renamed Shollar after a mountain spring.

From BBC

The 50-year-old, whose ploys have also included using coloured lights to communicate with the touchline, appointing himself as a water carrier to get access to his players in play, and publicly reviewing refereeing performances, is certainly often in the headlines.

From BBC

"Deschamps gets by because he gives 100%, but he'll never be anything more than a water carrier - you find players like him on every street corner," said former France team-mate Eric Cantona in an interview in September 1996.

From BBC

The 54-year-old, famously labelled "The Water Carrier" by France team-mate Eric Cantona for his tireless style and ability to win possession for other so-called more glamorous team-mates, captained his country to the World Cup on home soil in 1998.

From BBC