hardwaremann.
/ˈhɑːdwɛːmən/, U.S. /ˈhɑrdˌwɛrmən/ A maker of or dealer in hardware.
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society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in household goods
hardwareman1419
glass-man1597
hardware dealer1703
Chinaman1733
broker1818
Chinawoman1837
1419 in F. Collins Reg. Freemen York (1897) I. 129 (MED) Will. Smyth, hardewareman.
c1449 in J. C. Tingey Rec. City of Norwich (1910) II. 230 (MED) Pageantes..Fisicians, Hardewaremen, Hatters.
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vjv Harde waremen, mole sekers, and ratte takers.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxv Then the French harder men opened their wares, & made the Taylers hal lyke to the paunde of a marte.
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. iii. xv. f. 114 Gryndstones for hardware men.
1627 G. Richardson Of State of Europe iii. 30 Chiefer townes are vpon the Dun Sheafield in Hallom-shire (as are sundrie neighbouring villages) inhabited by Cutlers, Smiths, & Hard-ware-men.
1696 L. Meriton Pecuniæ obediunt Omnia cxxi. 87 The Hard-ware-Man at Markets seldome fails, With knives, and Sissers, hammers, Locks, and nails.
1770 Adams's Weekly Courant 10 Apr. 3/2 Wanted, An Apprentice to a Cutler and Hardwareman.
1858 W. Greener Gunnery in 1858 181 The persuasive eloquence of the itinerant hardwareman.
1919 Manch. Guardian 18 Jan. 3/2 (advt.) Agent wanted, with sound connection amongst ironmongers, hardwaremen, grocers, stores, &c., to sell our quick-selling household specialities.
1962 Life 12 Oct. 129 The high bidder for the Emmons place was Alex Walsh, a wholesale hardware man.
2005 Philadelphia Inquirer (Nexis) 13 Mar. m6 Jacovic is as good a hardwareman as one finds—unflaggingly friendly and helpful, whether dispensing tips on cat-proofing your flower beds or finding the right screw.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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