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Carhop: meaning, definitions and examples

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carhop

 

[ ˈkɑːrˌhɒp ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

food service

A carhop is a server, usually at a drive-in restaurant, who delivers food and drinks to customers in their vehicles. They are typically associated with a retro style of dining and are often seen on roller skates. The role of a carhop has diminished in modern times with the rise of fast food drive-thrus, but it holds nostalgic value for many. Carhops may also take orders from vehicles, enhancing the convenience for diners.

Synonyms

server, waitstaff.

Examples of usage

  • The carhop brought our milkshakes directly to the car.
  • During summer, we loved visiting the drive-in where the carhops wore fun uniforms.
  • The nostalgic vibe of the drive-in is complemented by friendly carhops.
  • She was a carhop at the local diner during her high school years.

Translations

Translations of the word "carhop" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atendente de drive-in

🇮🇳 कारहॉप

🇩🇪 Auto-Servicemitarbeiter

🇮🇩 pelayan mobil

🇺🇦 автомобільний обслуговуючий

🇵🇱 pracownik drive-in

🇯🇵 カーショップ

🇫🇷 serveur de voiture

🇪🇸 carhop

🇹🇷 araba garsonu

🇰🇷 차량 서비스

🇸🇦 خادم السيارات

🇨🇿 obsluha na parkovišti

🇸🇰 obsluha pri vozidle

🇨🇳 汽车服务员

🇸🇮 uslužbenec za avtomobile

🇮🇸 bílstjóraþjónusta

🇰🇿 көлік қызметкері

🇬🇪 ავტომობილის მომსახურე

🇦🇿 avtomobil xidməti

🇲🇽 carhop

Etymology

The term 'carhop' originated in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, a time when drive-in restaurants began to gain popularity. These venues allowed customers to enjoy meals without leaving their cars, and the carhop was a key figure in this experience, delivering food directly to parked vehicles. The word combines 'car,' indicating the automobile service aspect, and 'hop,' which suggests a quick movement, much like the carhops who would dash to and from cars. The role became iconic in American culture, especially during the post-war era when teenagers flocked to drive-ins as social hubs. Although the prevalence of carhops has decreased with the evolution of fast food and drive-thru services, they remain a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era, immortalized in movies and music.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,525, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.