Hostler

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An hostler or ostler (both pronounced /ˈɒstlər/) in the horse industry is a groom or stableman, who is employed in a stable to take care of horses. In the United States railroad industry, a hostler is an employee whose job is to move locomotives from one track to another within a rail yard or locomotive repair shop.[1] In the trucking industry, a hostler is someone who moves trailers from one position in the yard to another position.

[edit] Etymology

The word is spelt "hostler" in American English, but "ostler" in British English. It is recorded since c.1386, meaning "one who tends to horses at an inn" - and also, occasionally, "innkeeper" - is derived from Anglo-French hostiler (modern French hostelier), itself from Medieval Latin hostilarius "the monk who entertains guests at a monastery", from hospitale "inn" (compare hospital, hospitaller, hospitality).[2]

A similar word, hostelero (innkeeper, the one that took care of a hostal), exists in Spanish.

[edit] Mining

An ostler would care for the horses within the mine.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Rail Transportation Occupations". Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos244.htm. Retrieved 19 February 2011. 
  2. ^ EtymologyOnLine- Hostler
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