Gofer: meaning, definitions and examples

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gofer

 

[ หˆษกoสŠfษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

workplace

A person hired to do various tasks, such as running errands or fetching coffee, typically in an office setting.

Synonyms

assistant, errand boy/girl, messenger.

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Word Description / Examples
gofer

Used in informal or somewhat derogatory settings to describe someone who runs errands, typically in a workplace. This term often implies a lower status or lack of respect.

  • He started his career as a gofer, fetching coffee and making copies.
  • She's tired of being treated like a gofer and wants more responsibilities.
assistant

Used in both professional and casual settings to describe someone who helps another person with tasks or responsibilities. This term is more respectful and suggests a support role.

  • My assistant helps me manage my schedule and communications.
  • She was promoted from assistant to manager after proving her skills.
errand boy/girl

Used in informal or sometimes demeaning contexts to describe someone who performs small tasks or errands. It can carry a connotation of youth or inexperience.

  • As an intern, he often felt like just an errand boy, running to get lunch for everyone.
  • She started out as an errand girl in the office, but she's now a key player in the marketing team.
messenger

Used to describe someone whose main job is to deliver messages or packages. This can be used in both professional and casual settings, but it emphasizes the role of communication or delivery.

  • The messenger arrived with an important document for the CEO.
  • In ancient times, messengers were crucial for conveying information between cities.

Examples of usage

  • The intern was treated like a gofer, always being asked to do menial tasks for the rest of the team.
  • She started as a gofer at the company, but eventually worked her way up to a management position.

Translations

Translations of the word "gofer" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ajudante

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคนเคพเคฏเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Laufbursche

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pembantu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะผั–ั‡ะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pomocnik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใŠไฝฟใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท coursier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mandadero

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ayakรงฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž”์‹ฌ๋ถ€๋ฆ„๊พผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุณุงุนุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ poslรญฤek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ poslรญฤek

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ท‘่…ฟ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pomoฤnik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sendill

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบำฉะผะตะบัˆั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒฎแƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kรถmษ™kรงi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mandadero

Etymology

The term 'gofer' originated in the United States in the 1950s. It is a colloquial abbreviation of 'go for', reflecting the role of a person who 'goes for' things or runs errands. The word gained popularity in office environments where employees were often tasked with various errands and menial jobs.

See also: forego, forgo, go, goad, going, gone, goon, ongoing, outgoing, undergo.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,149, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.