desk jockey

American  

noun

Informal.

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of desk jockey

First recorded in 1950–55; modeled on disk jockey

Example Sentences

Peter is a blank space to whom any desk jockey can relate, which doesn’t take much if you subscribe to the idea of an average-looking white guy as the default white-collar worker.

From Salon

Peter is a blank space to whom any desk jockey can relate, which doesn't take much if you subscribe to the idea of an average-looking white guy as the default white-collar worker.

From Salon

Daniel Pearce makes of Polonius a hilariously pedantic desk jockey and bad idea bear.

From New York Times

He figured this would be his career path: a white-collar desk jockey trying to help companies squeeze profits from the system.

From Washington Post

Seth is a by-the-book desk jockey; Bud ignores the rules when they interfere with undead evisceration.

From Los Angeles Times