end man

American  

noun

1. a man at one end of a row or line.

2. a man at either end of the line of performers of a minstrel troupe, who plays on the bones or tambourine and carries on humorous dialogue with the interlocutor.

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Etymology

Origin of end man

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Even with the original players out there, because on the back end man, one play, one mess-up, that can be a touchdown.

From Washington Times

It isn't the shy and the timid who get the applause; the clown in tinsel and the end man in cork divide easy honors.

From Project Gutenberg

To end man's suffering here would be a duty.

From Project Gutenberg

Jim was the first to arise and he helped up the other "end man," for that was the character the two suggested to each other.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they selected a wise young goose who had been end man the year before, and they made him their leader.

From Project Gutenberg