office boy

American  

noun

1. a person, traditionally a boy, employed in an office to run errands, do odd jobs, etc.

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office boy British  

noun

1. a former name for office junior

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Etymology

Origin of office boy

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

His parents could not afford to send him to college, but he attended night classes at the University of Chicago while working as a proofreader and office boy for The Chicago Sun-Times.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2023

After the war, he was hired as an assistant office boy at Simon & Schuster and eventually rose to sales manager, with a special eye for children's books.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2019

But her family soon bounced back, her mother becoming a successful interior designer while her father worked his way from office boy to director at a paint company.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2017

Mr. Hamilton, who had no interest in following his father into the British diplomatic service, entered films at 17 as a studio office boy.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2016

An office boy came along to direct me.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison