spear carrier

American  

Or spear-carrier

noun

1. a supernumerary in a theatrical or operatic production, as one of a group of soldiers or a member of a crowd; extra.

2. any minor member of a group, profession, political party, etc.; subordinate; underling.

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Etymology

Origin of spear carrier

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Last year, the 18-year-old "second spear carrier" found himself playing the lead in the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of Macbeth.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

After brief theater experience as a spear carrier, he moved to California.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2022

Within six weeks I was performing as a spear carrier in 'Saint Joan' with Siobhan McKenna and rehearsing 'Hamlet.'

From Seattle Times • Jun. 19, 2011

He made additional money as an extra in the Metropolitan Opera chorus, where he was a spear carrier who was told never to sing.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2010

Stopping a super, he asked for Miss Luft’s dressing room; the super, wearing makeup and the costume of an Egyptian spear carrier, pointed.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick