bouncer
BOUN-sur
/ˈbaʊn.sər/
A person employed at a bar, nightclub, or venue to control entry and eject unruly guests.
Informal workplace term; formal job titles include 'doorman' or 'security officer'.
The story behind the word. Emerging in 19th-century American English slang, 'bouncer' originally described a loud, boastful person. By the 1880s, the term specifically denoted someone hired to physically 'bounce' (eject) unruly people out the door of saloons and dance halls.
Word relationships
- doorman: Doorman sounds slightly more polite and venue-focused, whereas bouncer emphasizes physical enforcement.
- security guard: Security guard is a broad formal role not restricted to nightlife venues.
Commonly confused with
- bounder: An old-fashioned British slang term for a dishonorable man, unrelated to venue security.
Word family
- bounce (verb): To rebound, or informally to forcibly eject someone.
Collocations
- club bouncer
- bar bouncer
- head bouncer
- stout bouncer
Example sentences
- "The bouncer verified identification cards before allowing entry into the club." Nightlife security
- "An attentive bouncer defused the disagreement before security was needed." Event management
Memory hook
BOUNCER BOUNCES troublemakers out the front door. Bounces unwanted guests outside.
When not to use
Avoid in formal corporate or legal contracts where 'security personnel' is standard.
Fun facts
- In legal context, venue security officers are classified as 'door supervisors'.
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