How Do You Spell ROUSTABOUT?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈa͡ʊstɐbˌa͡ʊt] (IPA)

Roustabout is a word that is often misspelled due to its unique combination of letters. The word is pronounced as "ROW-stuh-bout" and is spelled with a "roust" followed by "about." The "ou" in "roust" is pronounced as a blended sound of "ow," while the "a" in "about" is pronounced as "uh." The phonetic transcription of the word would read as "/ˈraʊstəbaʊt/." This word is commonly used to describe a manual laborer, typically on an oil rig or in the circus industry.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Plural
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ROUSTABOUT Meaning and Definition

  1. Roustabout is a noun that refers to a person who performs manual labor, typically on a ship, oil rig, or circus. This term is primarily used in the context of the maritime and oil industries.

    In the maritime industry, a roustabout is an unskilled worker responsible for various tasks related to loading and unloading cargo, cleaning decks, and other general maintenance duties aboard a ship. They assist in securing cargo and ensuring its safe transport. Roustabouts are often required to work long hours in physically demanding conditions, and they play a vital role in maintaining the operational efficiency of a vessel.

    Similarly, in the oil industry, a roustabout is an entry-level position, often the first step in a career within this sector. Roustabouts are responsible for handling equipment, performing maintenance tasks, and assisting with drilling operations on oil rigs. This role involves physically demanding work, such as lifting heavy objects, cleaning equipment, and assembling oil rig components.

    Outside of the maritime and oil industries, the term "roustabout" can also be used to describe a person who performs physically demanding or unskilled work in other contexts. For instance, in a circus setting, a roustabout refers to a worker responsible for setting up and dismantling circus equipment, such as tents and rigging.

    Overall, a roustabout is an individual who performs strenuous manual labor in specialized industries or settings, often requiring physical strength, flexibility, and adaptability.

Top Common Misspellings for ROUSTABOUT *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ROUSTABOUT

Etymology of ROUSTABOUT

The word "roustabout" has its origins in the United States, particularly within the circus and carnival industry. Its etymology can be traced back to the mid-19th century. The term is believed to be a combination of two words – "roust" and "about".

"Roust" is derived from the word "rouse", which means to wake up or stir. In this context, it refers to the action of waking up or rousing someone from sleep or inactivity. "About" simply means around or moving in various directions.

The term "roustabout" was initially used to describe unskilled laborers who were responsible for performing various manual tasks, specifically in the setting up and dismantling of circus tents, carnival rides, and other similar activities. These workers were often required to physically move or "roust" the equipment and materials "about", hence the term "roustabout".

Plural form of ROUSTABOUT is ROUSTABOUTS

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Correct spelling for roustabout
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