poor boy

noun

Origin of poor boy

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

It’s not a secret that Vartan identified with Andrew Carnegie, the hardscrabble Scottish industrialist who loved reading and vowed if he ever became rich, he would start libraries for poor boys like himself.
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities: The Bountiful Life of Vartan Gregorian | Richard Stengel | April 18, 2021 | Time
“When people come from out of town they always want to try a poor boy sandwich,” Gendusa says.
New Orleans Celebrates Its Favorite Sandwich at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival | Tyler Gillespie | November 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
“The poor boy sandwich is part of our history and our culture,” says Gendusa.
New Orleans Celebrates Its Favorite Sandwich at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival | Tyler Gillespie | November 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The chance had come in my way, but in anticipating it I had somehow always contemplated operating on some poor boy or old woman.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. Ballantyne
With him was Marius's hound, which the poor boy had kept by him for company and protection in that dreadful time.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini

But do you imagine that you can succeed in Paris, a poor boy, without resources and protectors?
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander Dumas
In walking across, I beheld the poor boy sitting on the ground, overcome with grief and astonishment, for he knew he had lost me.
My Ten Years' Imprisonment | Silvio Pellico
Yes, Pierre, I repeat it, I did not lose a gesture or the slightest change of expression in the poor boy's face.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence | Eugne Sue

Browse