boy

Less common meanings

9. 9
   nounoffensivedatedcountable or uncountable

   An old, insulting word for a man who works as a servant, often used about non-white men.

   The hotel guests called the gray-haired waiter 'boy,' though he was sixty.

   He allowed his ‘boy’ - an overfed young negro from the coast - to treat the white men, under his very eyes, with provoking insolence.

   1899, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”Here, boy refers to a male servant, a disrespectful way to address a grown man.

   UsageSay worker, or say the man's job, such as waiter.

   Similarservant, manservant, attendant

   Note
10. 10
    objectnouncolloquialendearingcountable or uncountable

    A playful name for a thing near you, often in the phrase 'bad boy.'

    Like calling a car 'she' for fun.

    Just plug this bad boy in and the music starts.

    Look at these bad boys: fresh cookies right out of the oven.

    UsagePeople say this bad boy about a thing they are proud of.

    Note
11. 11
    racial insultnounoffensivecountable or uncountable

    An insulting way to speak to or about a man who is not white, whatever his age.

    The rude clerk called the Black teacher 'boy,' even though he was sixty.

    'You listen here, boy,' the white official snapped at the Black doctor, a man twice his age.

    UsageCall him a man, or use his name.

    Note
12. 12
    heroinnounslangUSuncountable

    A street name for the illegal drug heroin.

    The dealer on the corner sold boy to anyone with cash.

    He told the counselor he had been using boy since he was nineteen.

    Similarheroin, smack, horse, junk, skag

    Note
13. 13
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable

    A man or young man who followed an army to serve the soldiers and do simple work.

    If any water be rough and boysterous, or the chanell verye broade, it manye times drowneth the carriages and the boyes and nowe and then slouthfull and lyther souldiours.

    1572, Flavius Vegetius Renatus, Foure Bookes... Contayninge a Plaine FormeHere, boyes means men who followed an army to do low, dirty jobs.

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14. 14
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable

    A man of low position, or a worthless and dishonest man.

    Do’ſt thou call mee foole boy?

    c. 1603, [William Shakespeare], His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. (First Quarto)Here, boy is an insult meaning a worthless or low man.

    Note
15. 15
    noun

    In some sexual relationships, a man who agrees to obey and serve his partner.
16. 16
    noun

    A low rank in some armies and navies long ago, or a person who held that rank.

    Wounded... 1 Boy, 1st class, severely.

    1841, Times, LondonHere, Boy is a low rank in the armed forces, or a person with that rank.
17. 17
    verbrare

    To act a female part on stage the way a young male actor once did.

    I shall see some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness.

    c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”Here, boy means to act out a part, like boys once playing women on stage.