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plumber's helper

American  

noun

  1. plunger.


Etymology

Origin of plumber's helper

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I think this interview is a little premature,” he said, adding, “I don’t know, maybe after this is over, I’ll go back to Washington and be a plumber’s helper again.”

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2017

Mr. Spoor helped the family financially by mowing lawns, shoveling snow, digging ditches, loading watermelons and as a plumber’s helper.

From Washington Post

He does not really need one, and if he had one he would probably use it as a plumber's helper.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then he seizes a plumber's helper and, like an artilleryman ram-rodding home a shell, nudges the chicken's tail feathers and plunges it into flight.

From Time Magazine Archive

David managed to find work as a plumber's helper, carrying his tools and assisting him in a number of ways.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson