caboose
caboose Lexical Profile
caboose Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A railroad car attached to the end of a freight train, traditionally used to provide shelter and working space for the train crew.
"As the long freight train rumbled past the crossing, the children waved eagerly at the conductor standing on the back platform of the red caboose."
North American The human buttocks (used informally or playfully).
"After slipping on the icy sidewalk, he landed squarely on his caboose."
A ship's galley or kitchen, particularly a small wooden cookhouse situated on the deck of a small vessel.
"The ship's cook prepared a hearty stew for the crew inside the cramped, smoke-filled caboose."
Word Nuance & Usage
In railway terminology, 'caboose' is primarily used in North American English; the British equivalent is typically 'brake van' or 'guard's van'.
• Rhymes for caboose
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the mid-18th century, likely from the Middle Dutch word 'kombuis' or 'kabhuis', originally referring to a ship's galley or deckhouse, before being applied to the crew car at the rear of a freight train in North America.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.