busboys

[glenis]

why do americans call waiters busboys?

[Quizmonster]

'Bus', in the British sense of 'coach', comes from the Latin word 'omnibus', meaning 'for all'. The same basic idea applies to the bus-boy in America...ie he is a sort of odd-job waiter/glass-collector etc. In other words he's committed to doing pretty-well all the 'bits-and-pieces' jobs in the restaurant.

[glenis]

thanks quizmonster

[dave520]

With respect to Quizmonster, in America it would be insulting to call the waiter a busboy. Waiters in the US are pretty much what they are in Europe, but a busboy is considered a kind of unskilled help that merely cleans off the table after a meal. He might or might not participate in re-setting the table. He would never serve restaurant customers. In a posh restaurant you might see a waiter's assistant who would refill your water glass or bread tray, but even he would not want to be called a busboy.

[Yinzer]

Because people are always bus'ing their chops! No, I really don't know... and I live here. But dave is right about the difference between waiters and busboys.

[Canib]

I am not so sure that I find this answer satisfying. In America, they refer to clearing the table as "bussing" it. It seems unlikely that it is a simple transfer of wording. Americans do not strike me as being that clever. :)

[dave520]

canib, guess you weren't "clever" enough to say something intelligent, just derogatory...

[CrshN2mme]

Dave is right. A waiter or waitress here America would definitely be insulted if you called them a busboy.A Busboy (busperson) only cleans the table after the customers have left.