refuse-collector

See also: refuse collector

English

Noun

refuse-collector (plural refuse-collectors)

1. Alternative form of refuse collector.
   • 1892 July 28, “Adulteration and Deterioration: Which Term You Like; But Both Spell Cheating”, in The Cornishman, volume XV, number 734, Penzance, Cornwall, page 7, column 5:

     One of the men engaged by the local Sanitary-board to empty ash-boxes, &c., called at the premises of a minister of religion, who likes to take the chair at Temperance meetings. The refuse-collector emptied the ash-box into his cart, and was then asked by the preacher to convey a boxful of broken brandy and whiskey bottles on to the same load.

   • 1992, Nicolas Bouvier, translated by Robyn Marsack, “Around the Saki Bar”, in The Way of the World, New York, N.Y.: New York Review Books, published 2009, →ISBN, page 259:

     The truck didn’t arrive: the refuse-collectors had joined the fête. A policeman on horseback directed us towards the dump: it lay about eight miles along the Pichin road; the smell made it impossible to miss.

   • 2009 October 8, Andrew O’Hagan, “The rotting state of London’s rubbish habit”, in Evening Standard, London, page 14, column 2:

     One of the Harrow refuse-collectors I went out with was astonished at the London attitude. “It’s a nightmare,” said Joshi. “No matter how many times you give them information they still contaminate the bloody recycling bins. They hide all sorts of stuff at the bottom of the organic bins – like machine parts. There’s no telling them.”