Doorman (profession)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hotel doormen in London

A doorman (or doorwoman/doorperson), also called a porter in

taxis
for residents and guests.

History

The occupation dates back at least to the time of Plautus under the Roman Republic where its name was iānitor (from iānua, 'door', the root of both "January" and "janitor").

Modern era

The United States House of Representatives had an official doorkeeper until the post was abolished in 1995.

In New York City, doorpeople and elevator operators are unionized and typically represented by SEIU 32BJ. They last went on strike in 1991 and other strikes were narrowly averted in 2006, 2010, and 2022.[2][3] New York City doorpeople tend to be immigrant men. Historically they were Irish; in more recent times they are often Hispanic or Eastern European (Polish, Albanian, Montenegrin, and Macedonian).[4]

In Egypt, doormen are called bawab, and in modern times they have been described by the BBC as a security guard, porter, enforcer of social mores and general snoop, all rolled into one.[5]

See also

References

  1. merriam-webster.com
  2. ^ McGeehan, Patrick (April 21, 2010). "Deal Reached That Averts a Walkout by Doormen". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  3. ISSN 0013-0613
    . Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Kleinfield, N. R. (April 21, 2010). "The World of Doormen Is Obvious, Yet Mysterious". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Dinham, Tom (October 28, 2012). "The doormen policing Egypt's morals". BBC News. Retrieved June 8, 2017.