straw boss

¹ American  

noun

1. a member of a work crew, as in a factory or logging camp, who acts as a boss; assistant foreman.

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straw-boss ² American  

[straw-baws, -bos] / ˈstrɔˌbɔs, -ˌbɒs /

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a straw boss to.

   She was assigned to straw-boss the night shift.

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straw boss Idioms  

1. A subordinate boss, a worker who supervises other workers as well as performing regular duties. For example, Jim was pleased when he was promoted to straw boss. This term alludes to the person's position as a straw man, that is, a front or cover for the real boss and of only nominal importance. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of straw boss

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

The one name you will not find in that essay is Lance Armstrong, who was the straw boss of the team during Vaughters’s short time around the Tour.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2012

Dunn will now be McNamara's straw boss in charge of some $1 billion worth of work and 40,000 military and civilian engineers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Democrat Johnson, leaving early for an Easter vacation on his LBJ ranch in Texas, had put Montana's Mike Mansfield, assistant majority leader, in his chair as straw boss.

From Time Magazine Archive

Under straw boss Michael Eisner, the Disney characters Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Snow White and the rest of the gang toiled overtime to plug everything from telephones to hamburgers to Chevrolets.

From Time Magazine Archive

The straw boss had no faith in her, having watched her sweating hard to fill her sack as quickly as the children, but she was highly and suddenly vocal in her determination.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison