Hostler

Hostler

An hostler, pronounced (and occasionally spelled) ostler, is an archaic word for a groom or stableman, i.e. the occupation of someone employed in a stable to take care of horses. [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=hostler&searchmode=none EtymologyOnLine- Hostler] ]

Etymology

The word, recorded since c.1386, meaning "one who tends to horses at an inn" - and also, occasionally, "innkeeper" - is derived from Anglo-French "hostiler" (modern French "hostelier"), itself from Medieval Latin "hostilarius" "the monk who entertains guests at a monastery", from "hospitale" "inn" (compare hospital, hospitaller, hospitality).

A similar word, "hostelero" (innkeeper, the one that tookcare of a hostal), exists in Spanish.

Other uses

In modern usage, hostler is also used to mean a person who services a truck or railroad engine at the end of a run. [ [http://www.yourdictionary.com/hostler "Hostler - Definition"] . "YourDictionary". Referenced May 19, 2008.]

Cultural references

"The Ostler" is the title of an 1855 novel by Victorian writer Wilkie Collins.

In the 1906 poem "The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes, a classic love triangle leads to doom: because Tim the hostler is in love with Bess, the landlord's daughter, and Bess loves the outlaw highwayman, Tim betrays the couple to the soldiers. []

John Keats (1795- 1821), the famous Romantic Poet, was the son of an hostler. Thomas Keats was Head Ostler at the Swan and Hoop, Moorgate, London. The income of a Head Ostler at this time was a respectable amount, enough to ensure that Frances Keats was not required to work, and therefore considered Middle Class. ["Romanticism, An Anthology" Third Edition, Duncan Wu, ed., p. 1332]

References


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  • Hostler — Hos tler, n. [OE. hosteler, osteler, innkeeper, OF. hostelier, F. h[^o]telier. See {Hostel}, and cf. {Hospitaler}, {Hosteler}.] 1. An innkeeper. [Obs.] See {Hosteler}. [1913 Webster] 2. The person who has the care of horses at an inn or stable;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hostler — (n.) late 14c., one who tends to horses at an inn, also, occasionally, innkeeper, from Anglo Fr. hostiler, O.Fr. hostelier innkeeper, steward (12c., Mod.Fr. hôtelier), from M.L. hostilarius the monk who entertains guests at a monastery, from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • hostler — [häs′lər, äs′lər] n. [contr. of HOSTELER] 1. a person who takes care of horses at an inn, stable, etc.; groom ☆ 2. a person who services a truck or a railroad engine at the end of a run 3. Obs. an innkeeper …   English World dictionary

  • hostler — also ostler noun Etymology: Middle English, innkeeper, hostler, from Anglo French hosteler, from hostel Date: 14th century 1. one who takes care of horses or mules 2. one who moves locomotives in and out of a roundhouse; also one who services… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hostler — hostlership, n. /hos leuhr, os leuhr/, n. 1. a person who takes care of horses, esp. at an inn. 2. an employee who moves and services trains, buses, or other vehicles after their regular runs or who does the maintenance work on large machines.… …   Universalium

  • hostler — noun /ˈɒs.lə,ˈhɒs.lə,ˈhɑːs.lɚ,ˈɑːs.lɚ/ a) A person employed at an inn, hostelry, or stable to look after horses; a groom b) A person employed to care for a locomotive or other large engine. Syn …   Wiktionary

  • hostler — Synonyms and related words: breaker, breeder, broncobuster, buckaroo, cattleman, cow keeper, cowman, dairy farmer, dairyman, equerry, farrier, grazier, groom, horseshoer, rancher, ranchero, ranchman, sheepman, stableboy, stableman, stock raiser,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • hostler — hos|tler [ˈɔslə US ˈha:stlər, ˈa:s ] n the usual American spelling of ↑ostler …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • hostler — hos·tler || É‘slÉ™(r) / É’s n. one who operates a hostel …   English contemporary dictionary

  • hostler — holster …   Anagrams dictionary

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