desk jockey

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an office worker who sits at a desk, often as contrasted with someone who does more important or active work: desk jockeys at the CIA.

QUIZZES

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

First recorded in 1950–55; modeled on disk jockey

I was sick in street gutters, onto my desk, at dinners with friends.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Scott, in taking the parlance of the street to the SportsCenter desk, helped affirm its ascendance.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
While the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She suggested that Gregory stack newspapers on his desk to give the set an intimate, coffeehouse feel.
David Gregory's 'Meet the Press' Eviction Exposed in Washingtonian Takedown|Lloyd Grove|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At his desk sat his secretary, who had been a witness of the interview, lost in wonder almost as great as the Seneschal's own.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Taking his stand at the end of the desk, he made MacRae reiterate in detail the grim happenings of that night.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Dobson, mouth agape, struck a little bell on the desk and the orderly stepped in from the outer room.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
When I again turned to Lessard he still stood at the end of the desk, industriously paring his fingernails.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
He took his accustomed seat at the desk, and placed a large ledger before him.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various