Courier used to mean tour guide?

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Deepcove

#266708 Thu, 14 Sep 06 05:33 AM

Hi, when i was using the oxford advanced learner's dictionary, i bumped into one of the sentences.

She works as a courier.

meaning she works as a tour guide. As this is a bilingual version of the OALD, english and chinese, the chinese translation literally means "she works as a tour guide". At first, i thought i spotted to

I wonder how common is this word used to mean tour guide in UK?

In my vocabulary, it only means express delivery.

Deepcove

Joined on Tue, Aug 29 2006

New Member (26)

Translation, Vocabulary

Marius Hancu

#266724 Thu, 14 Sep 06 06:13 AM

Yes, this is a valid meaning.

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Grammar Geek

#267675 Fri, 15 Sep 06 11:10 PM

Hi - I've not familiar with this meaning. If someone said she was a courier, I would assume she took messages around, not people. (American here.)

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,538)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Marius Hancu

#267679 Fri, 15 Sep 06 11:17 PM

I have this from an American dictionary:-)
See 2.
It must be old (?).
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cou·ri·er

Function:noun

1 : one that carries messages, news, or information either with urgent haste or in accordance with a regular schedule : MESSENGER <a courier who will carry the tidings of distress -- B.N.Cardozo> <courier communication nearly equivalent to postal service -- F.B.Warren>: as a : a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages <couriers who carry official despatches possess the right of inviolability -- G.H.Stuart> b : an espionage agent transferring secret information; sometimes : a runner of contraband or illicit materials : an underworld liaison man c : a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies

2 : a traveler's paid attendant : a servant who facilitates travel arrangements; often : a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency

3 Canada : MAIL CARRIER

4 : a plane or other conveyance used in courier duties

http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com
---------

Marius Hancu

Nouns

Grammar Geek

#267718 Sat, 16 Sep 06 01:04 AM

Goodness! Those crazy Americans! They should update their dictionaries more often! I think you'll find this used to mean "tour guide" in America about as often as "gander" is uesd to mean "a foolish person" in the U.K.

Grammar Geek

Dates

nona the brit

#267724 Sat, 16 Sep 06 01:42 AM

I've heard it used in the UK - as travel courier not just courier - but not for many years. It seems to have fallen out of fashion with regards to meaning tour guide. It seems that it is still the name of a profession though - this is a government funded site's career advice on 'travel courier': http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile145/.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,339)

The name says it all.

Regards

Alan.es

#267784 Sat, 16 Sep 06 08:09 AM

Though nowadays they are more often referred to as holiday reps, short for representatives, everybody here in Mallorca would instantly know what you meant if you used courier instead.

If you look for jobs in the holiday industry based in the UK, some of the companies still use courier as a job title.

Alan.es

Joined on Sun, Apr 16 2006

Full Member (303)

Marius Hancu

#267976 Sat, 16 Sep 06 05:12 PM

Alan.es wrote:
Though nowadays they are more often referred to as holiday reps, short for representatives, everybody here in Mallorca would instantly know what you meant if you used courier instead.

Wow, you must have seen Nadal a lot by now Smile [:)]

Marius Hancu

Alan.es

#268217 Sun, 17 Sep 06 06:47 AM

:-) Only on the tele or in the newspapers, and also Carlos Moya before him, but I do know personally somebody who knows somebody who knows them both! :-)

It is amazing that a relatively small island with a basic population of about 800,000 can produce two world-class tennis players in the same generation.

Alan.es