tapster

[prettygoodword]

tapster - n., a bartender.


The one who draws and serves liquor for customers -- originally, tapping kegs and barrels.

---L.

Comments

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Originally feminine, until the distinction eroded in the 1500's. It seems not to have been here (in this LJ) that the subject of -ster as a feminine ending arose. Spinster/spinner, brewster/brewer, baxter/baker, webster/weaver, etc. are feminine/masculine pairs. (But not oyster/oyer.)

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

I almost noted that it was a feminine ending -- I've been mentioning it in person. I hadn't known it was specifically the 1500s where we lost the distinction.

If you know where that discussion occured, I'd be interested in reading it.

---L.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

It came up in conversation, as I recall.