Dustman

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈdʌst.mæn/ (British English)

Definitions

• A person whose job is to collect and remove household rubbish or garbage.
• A sanitation worker responsible for waste disposal.

Usage Examples

• The dustman comes early every Monday morning to collect the bins.
• She thanked the dustman for keeping the streets clean.
• Many cities have replaced dustmen with automated garbage collection trucks.

Etymology

Derived from "dust" (Old English: "dūst") + "man" (Middle English: "man"), originally referring to someone who removed household dust and waste.

Synonyms

• Garbage collector
• Sanitation worker
• Waste collector
• Refuse collector

Antonyms

• Polluter
• Litterer

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈdʌst.mæn/
• American English: Rarely used, equivalent to "garbage man"
• Australian English: /ˈdʌst.mæn/

Historical Usage

The term "dustman" was widely used in the United Kingdom during the 19th and 20th centuries when household waste was primarily composed of ash and dust from coal fires.

Cultural Nuances

While "dustman" is a common term in British English, American English prefers "garbage collector" or "sanitation worker." In many societies, waste collection has transitioned from manual labor to automated systems.

More Information

Sanitation work is essential for urban cleanliness and public health. In modern cities, waste management has evolved with recycling programs, landfill management, and sustainable waste disposal techniques replacing traditional methods.