straw boss

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straw boss

n. Informal
A worker who acts as a boss or crew leader in addition to performing regular duties.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

straw′ boss`


n.
a member of a work crew, as in a factory or logging camp, who acts as a boss; assistant foreman.
[1890–95, Amer.]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.straw boss - a member of a work gang who supervises the other workersstraw boss - a member of a work gang who supervises the other workers
boss, foreman, honcho, chief, gaffer - a person who exercises control over workers; "if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

straw boss

noun
Informal. Someone who directs and supervises workers:
Slang: chief.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in periodicals archive
A little time in the neighborhood swimming pool revealed that, when the fly slowly settles, the "wings" lend a back-and-forth tilting motion--the signature move of the Straw Boss.
She had worked as a straw boss at Ellison's bean fields in Pleasant Hill.
They are paid in cash, live together in rentals set up under the contractor's name (usually 5-15 per one-room apartment), are given a licensed van for transport, and are set up with an interpreter who is also a "straw boss." They work seven days a week, 12-16 hours a day, framing houses, landscaping, handling and finishing drywall, pouting concrete, and doing any other blue-collar (once good paying) jobs they can get.
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