The word "copyboy" is spelled with three syllables: /ˈkɒpiˌbɔɪ/. The first syllable "kop" sounds like "cop" and rhymes with "stop". The second syllable "i" sounds like the letter "e" and is pronounced like "ee". The final syllable "boy" sounds like "boy" and rhymes with "joy". "Copyboy" is a term used to refer to a young man who works in the journalism industry, often tasked with delivering copies of newspapers and performing other errands.
Copyboy is a noun that refers to a male employee in a newspaper office whose primary job is to assist journalists, editors, and other staff members with various tasks, typically related to copy editing, news writing, and general office work. The term is derived from the historical practice of reproducing news articles by hand or typewriter to create multiple copies for circulation.
In the early days of print media, copyboys were responsible for carrying copies and various documents between different departments within a newspaper office. They would collect typed or handwritten drafts from journalists, deliver them to editors, proofreaders, and compose editors, and then return them to the writers for revisions. Additionally, copyboys would often organize the newsroom, answer phones, file papers, and perform other administrative duties to ensure the smooth functioning of the newspaper office.
As the newspaper industry evolved with the advent of digital technologies, the role of a copyboy has significantly changed. The position has become less common due to the automation of many tasks previously performed by copyboys, such as photocopying and delivering physical copies. Nowadays, responsibilities once assigned to copyboys are often fulfilled by entry-level journalists or office assistants. However, the term continues to be used in a nostalgic sense, referring to the historical tradition of the copyboy and the era of print journalism.
The word "copyboy" is derived from the combination of two English words: "copy" and "boy".
The term "copy" is derived from the Old French word "copie", meaning "transcript" or "reproduction". It entered the English language in the late 14th century and originally referred to a written excerpt or manuscript copy. Over time, the meaning of "copy" expanded to include any reproduction, whether it be handwritten, printed, or duplicated using a copying machine.
The word "boy" has Middle English origins, derived from the Old English word "bocga" or "bugge", meaning "servant" or "attendant". It was commonly used to designate a male of young age, particularly a male child or young male servant.