redcap

American  

[red-kap] / ˈrɛdˌkæp /

noun

1. a baggage porter at a railroad station.

2. British Informal. a member of the military police.

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redcap British  

/ ˈrɛdˌkæp /

noun

1. informal a military police officer

2. a porter at an airport or station

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Etymology

Origin of redcap

First recorded in 1530–40; red ¹ + cap ¹

Explanation

A redcap is a train station porter, a worker who helps passengers carry their luggage. If you're traveling to Chicago by train and taking your stand up bass with you, you'll need the assistance of a redcap. Redcap is an American nickname that's been used since the early 20th century, when porters actually wore red caps. Some people also use the words bearer or carrier — or sometimes baggage handler. This last term is more common at airports (along with the newer skycap), while porter and redcap are exclusive to railroad stations. British military police are also referred to as redcaps.

Example Sentences

She then arranged for him to breed this first-generation Cosmopolitan Chicken with the English Redcap in an exhibition at her gallery that year.

From New York Times • Oct. 26, 2016

That decade, he worked with his future Morse mucker, John Thaw, who became a close friend, in Redcap, a TV series about the military police in which he prophetically played Thaw's boss.

From The Guardian • Jul. 3, 2012

"It was the old Scotch fool Jenny, who did it out of her own head, I suppose," said Margaret; "for she has been stunning me these two hours about you and Mother Redcap."

From The Fortunes of Nigel by Scott, Walter, Sir

Soon after came the wolf knocking at the door, and calling out, "Open the door, grandmother, I am Little Redcap, bringing you cakes."

From Holiday Stories for Young People by Sangster, Margaret Elizabeth

So this was the coming tree that Redcap had warned Lord Soulis to beware of, and it had come in right earnest.

From Tales From Scottish Ballads by Stewart, Allan