| 释义 |
ˈpearl-ˌdiver
a. One who dives for pearl-oysters.
1667Phil. Trans. II. 863 The greatest length of time, that Pearl-Divers in these parts can hold under water, is about a quarter of an hour; and by no other means but Custome: For Pearl-diving lasteth not above Six weeks. 1748Anson's Voy. ii. viii. 217 The fish that is said frequently to destroy the pearl-divers. 1822–34Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 392 Diemerbroeck relates the case of a pearl-diver, who, under his own eye remained half-an-hour at a time under water, while pursuing his hunt for pearl muscles.
b. A person who washes crockery in a café or restaurant. slang (orig. U.S.).
1913E. A. Brown Broke iii. 29, I am in line for a pearl⁓diver's (dishwasher's) job tomorrow. 1956Amer. Speech XXXI. 151 Pearl diver, a dish⁓washer in a logging cookhouse. 1970Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 15 Jan. 3B/5 Euphemism has upgraded other jobs. In parts of the country, dishwashers have been called utensil maintenance men, though back at the sink they still may be ‘pearl divers’.
So ˈpearl-ˌdiving, vbl. n.
1667[see pearl-diver a.] 1930J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel v. 402 He got a job pearldiving in a lunch⁓room. 1970C. Kersh Aggravations M. Ashe viii. 100 In the catering pearl diving is slang for dish washing. |