busboys

Restaurant dish collectors

Busboys are restaurant workers who clear tables, refill water glasses, and assist servers.

The job is typically entry-level, often filled by young men—hence the "boy," though the term applies regardless of age or gender.

The gender-neutral *busser* has gained ground: We need more bussers for the dinner rush.

occupation

dishwasher

Appliance that cleans cookware

serverOne who attends tables
waiterOne who serves tables
restaurantPlace serving meals

clearing · tables · tray · apron · uniform · kitchen · dining · staff · hospitality · shift

tasks

clearing

Treeless space in forest

stackingPlacing items vertically
wipingRubbing to clean
resettingReturning to initial state

carrying · plates · silverware · glassware · linens · condiments · crumbs · sanitizing · restocking · table setting

hierarchy

junior

Lower in standing

assistantOne who aids another
support staffWorkers aiding main operations
traineeOne being instructed

promotion · waiter · host · runner · barback · expediter · kitchen porter · steward · front of house · dining room

Categories

hospitality workersservers, waiters, hostess, hosts, bartenders
workersworkers, employee, employees, laborer, laborers
fine diningchef, gourmet meal, tasting menu, haute cuisine, gourmet
malesmen, guys, lads, dudes, blokes
migrant labormigrant labor, migrant workers, foreign workers, farmworkers, guest workers

Opposites

restaurant hierarchy

busboyshead chef

Kitchen's top cook

executive chef · maître d · general manager · sommelier · restaurant manager

service role function

busboyshosts

Those who entertain guests

hostesses · servers · waiters · waitresses · waitstaff

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G