gripman

[ grip-muhn ]

noun

, plural grip·men.

1. a worker on a cable car who operates the grip, which, by grasping or releasing the moving cable, starts or stops the car.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gripman¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; grip + -man

Example Sentences

He said airlines wouldn’t hire him for flying jobs, and he supported his family as a trolley gripman.

From Washington Post

A cable-car, with clanging bell, was bearing down upon it with a speed which the gripman seemed powerless to check.

From Project Gutenberg

Her neck was no bigger than a gripman's wrist and she had a nose that stood right out from her face almost an eighth of an inch.

From Project Gutenberg

The gripman usually jerks his thumb over his shoulder and indicates the next car, which is three miles away.

From Project Gutenberg

Towards evening, when the tides of travel set northward, it is curious to see how the gripman and conductor reverse their tempers.

From Project Gutenberg

From the forward end you hear the gripman uttering shrill whoops and running over citizens.

From Project Gutenberg