Definition of bargee

The word "bargee" originally referred to a person who worked on a barge, a flat-bottomed commercial vessel used for transporting goods along inland waterways. The term gained popularity during the 19th century when barge trading was a significant part of the British economy. The workers on these barges had a tough and often hazardous job, involving long hours, physically demanding work, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. The term "bargee" emerged during this time as a derogatory slang term used to describe these workers, implying that they were uneducated, uncouth, and had a rough appearance. The term was also used to allude to their perceived inferiority in society, reflecting attitudes towards manual labor during the Industrial Revolution. Despite the negative connotation, the term "bargee" persisted into the 20th century, and its use was not uncommon in literary works, particularly in the context of boat dwellers and bohemian subcultures. However, as society has evolved, and attitudes towards manual labor have shifted, the term "bargee" has become less commonly used, with few contemporary references to the term. In summary, the origin of the word "bargee" can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was used to describe people who worked in the challenging and often hazardous job of transporting cargo on flat-bottomed vessels. The term's usage reflected societal attitudes towards manual labor, which have since evolved, rendering the term "bargee" less commonly used in contemporary language.