milkman

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "milkman" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who delivers milk, typically to homes or businesses. Example: "In the early morning, the milkman would make his rounds, leaving fresh bottles of milk on the doorstep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's why I decided to put a milkman in my Father Christmas book.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My father was a milkman for more than 30 years, my mother a maidservant in a very posh area of London for 20.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The next day police broke up the meeting (Nelson Mandela disguised himself as a milkman to escape).

The Economist

Lawyers for Mr Ebbers, meanwhile, will try to discredit the government's star witness (surely Mr Sullivan is trying to reduce his own sentence by accusing his old boss?) and also to cast doubt on his allegations that Mr Ebbers who is after all an ex-bouncer, milkman, college drop-out and (wait for it) an accounting novice knew that Mr Sullivan's tricks were illegal.

The Economist

They called for a return to fingerposts.In this section Changing the menu Third time unlucky Reserve power Better odds Breaking the circle A lament for Blighty The charming Mr Johnson ReprintsThere are other pressing problems the vanishing Sunday roast, the reform of the Anglican liturgy to make it more "user-friendly" and the tragic disappearance of the milkman.

The Economist

At a time when the milkman already seems a vestige of a bygone era and the postman is struggling to avoid the same fate this might seem an unlikely alliance.

The Economist

Mr Wright, the head of one of Britain's biggest drug-rings, and apparently known as "the milkman" because he always delivered on time, used bookmakers to launder the money he got from importing three tons of cocaine.

The Economist

We are your chosen people," Tevye, a beleaguered Jewish milkman of the tsarist era tells God in "Fiddler on the Roof".

The Economist

A former milkman with no formal training in accounting, Mr Ebbers claimed that he was incapable of spotting the fraud.

The Economist

At RKO McLeod made two of Danny Kaye's better pictures: The Kid from Brooklyn (1946), a comedy about a milkman who accidentally becomes a professional boxer, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947), an adaptation of James Thurber's short story about a daydreaming wallflower.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subsequent leading roles in films such as Billa (1980), in which he played a ruthless mafia don, and Murattu Kaalai (1980), in which his character, a dutiful milkman, saves a woman from the man she was supposed to marry, cemented his career as an action superstar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "milkman" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or tradition when describing a service that delivers milk directly to homes.

Common error

Avoid using "milkman" in contexts where a gender-neutral or more modern term like "dairy delivery person" is more appropriate or inclusive.

Linguistic Context

The word "milkman" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person whose job is to deliver milk. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. For instance, it can identify a profession or be used in fictional narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "milkman" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun referring to a person who delivers milk, often evoking a sense of nostalgia. Analysis of Ludwig AI examples shows it is primarily found in news and media sources, with neutral to informal register, and it is used to identify a specific occupation or recall a bygone era. Though "milkman" is still correct, modern alternatives such as "dairy delivery person" or "milk delivery driver" are more inclusive and gender neutral. It's also found in encyclopedia articles describing the role of milkmen in the society. In general be careful in using "milkman" in modern contexts due to possible connotations of being an outdated role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dairy delivery person

More descriptive and modern term emphasizing the dairy aspect and delivery function.

milk delivery driver

Focuses on the driving aspect of the job, common in modern parlance.

the milk person

Gender-neutral term for the occupation.

milk vendor

Emphasizes the selling aspect of the milk delivery.

dairy farmer

Highlights the origin of the milk rather than the delivery.

home milk delivery service

Focuses on the service aspect, highlighting home delivery.

early morning delivery person

Highlights the time of delivery rather than the specific product.

local milk provider

Highlights the local aspect of the milk source and delivery.

milk supplier

Describes someone who supplies milk, potentially to businesses.

neighborhood milk distributor

More formal and specific, indicating a local area of distribution.

FAQs

What is the definition of "milkman"?

A "milkman" is a man who delivers milk to households and sometimes businesses, often early in the morning. Modern alternatives include "dairy delivery person" or "milk delivery driver".

Is "milkman" still a common occupation?

While less common than in the past, "milkman" still exists in some areas, though the role may be described differently, such as "dairy delivery service".

What are some related terms for "milkman"?

Related terms include "dairyman", which refers to a man who works with dairy products, and "milk vendor", which emphasizes the selling aspect.

How has the role of the "milkman" changed over time?

Historically, the "milkman" delivered fresh milk daily. Today, with widespread refrigeration and grocery stores, the role is less prevalent, but some specialized delivery services still exist.