barrow man

barrow man

1. A boy or man who sells goods (usually fruit, vegetables, or other comestibles) from a handcart (barrow) on the streets. Primarily heard in UK. When spring arrives, you can hear the calls of barrow men selling their goods along the avenues.
2. obsolete A prison convict whose sentence is transportation (deportation to a penal colony, such as the Americas or Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries). The term refers to Woolwich prison bulk inmates whose primary labor was to haul dirt and bricks in wheelbarrows. Primarily heard in UK. I was once a barrow man on the street, selling fruit to the people; but then I killed a man for money, and now I am a barrow man set for Australia.
See also: barrow, man
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • barrow
  • barrow boy
  • chip
  • chips
  • up on (one's) ear
  • one of the boys
  • one of the lads
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
References in periodicals archive
Drift mines were cheap to construct and often worked by teams of three men - a hewer armed with pick and shovel, a barrow man to remove the mined jet to the surface and a third who sorted the good from the bad.
yourclub
The first half was a fairly even, scrappy affair, punctuated by a well-taken goal from Andy Haworth on 31 minutes, the Barrow man turning well to fire past Ross Atkins.
PAIN AT GAIN FOR MISFIRING MOORS
It was not until the 34th minute that Vauxhall broached their opponents' defence, former Barrow man Paul Brown bringing the best out of Chris Maxwell, but it was an isolated incident and Wrexham were quickly back on the front foot.
Dragons motor to an easy win; PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
The Barrow man started fast and aggressively, but Jamie had spotted a chink in his defence almost immediately, and he landed a whipping left hook to the head.
Tom and Jamie lead the victory parade; Hide and seek in Jon title bid
John Barrow man is lined up as a guest star fornumber100,butepisodeoneismuchmore domestic as Ben (Lindsay) sets out to write a suitable romantic anniversary card to wife Susan (Wanamaker) and finds the simplest terms of endearment quite beyond him.
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The cast, which includes John Barrow man and Welsh actress Eve Myles, will start filming on location in and around Cardiff next week.
Torchwood will light up a BBC1 prime-time viewing slot
These 'ordinary' wheelbarrows have comparatively small wheels well in front, so that the weight of the load is distributed between the barrow man and the wheel, whereas the housedwheel barrow places the load over the axle.
Single-wheeled mobility: the housed-wheel barrow on the plains of preindustrial China
The visitors should have scored again 10 minutes from the interval when Thompson seized on a poor pass from Gary Fitzpatrick, but the Barrow man delayed his shot and Dave Roberts got in the saving tackle.
TELFORD FAIL TO BUCK THE LOSING TREND; Third successive defeat for Smith BLUE SQUARE NORTH
The former Barrow man registered his 99th in the win overHull.
COACH WARY OF DRAGONS' FIRE; SUPER LEAGUE: CATALAN DRAGONS v ST HELENS TOMORROW, KICK-OFF 7.30pm Anderson eyes repeat of Challenge Cup win
Watch out for the ubiquitous John Barrow man making a guest appearance in the next series of Hotel Babylon.
overheard
Judges Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Barrow man and Denise van Outen agreed; and the public voted Sarah into this Saturday's fifth round.
Sarah cut her teeth in Dracula
The second was from Tony Gray on 38 minutes; as Eaton made a tremendous run off the ball, leaving Liam Blake BARROW man the space to set up Gray, who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
Football: Eaton instrumental for Linnets; Farsley Celtic.........2 Burscough ...........4
But Pennant finally go the goal he deserved when he latched on to Andrew Barrow man's through-ball and was fouled by Ugo Ukah as he bore down on goal.
Football: BLUES ARE BEATEN BY A FURLONG; Ex-striker silences boo-boys QPR 2 BLUES 1