loblolly boy

American  

noun

Obsolete.

1. an assistant to the surgeon on board a ship.

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loblolly boy British  

noun

1. navy (formerly) a boy or man acting as a medical orderly on board ship

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Etymology

Origin of loblolly boy

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

A loblolly boy, therefore, was the surgeon's assistant who did the feeding.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2021

I was ably assisted, however, in my arduous duties, which, by the way, occupied me very nearly half an hour every morning, after, not before, breakfast, by the loblolly boy “Sugar o’ Lead.”

From Aileen Aroon, A Memoir With other Tales of Faithful Friends and Favourites by Stables, Gordon

"The loblolly boy for the cabin," the boatswain answered.

From Martin Hyde, the Duke's Messenger by Masefield, John

I am determined," said the undaunted seaman, "to keep this castle for His Majesty so long as I have a man left to fire a gun, and a loblolly boy to fetch the ammunition.

From St George's Cross by Keene, H. G. (Henry George)

"What's a lad with good friends doing as loblolly boy?"

From Martin Hyde, the Duke's Messenger by Masefield, John