caddy
KAD-ee
/ˈædi/
A person who carries a golfer's clubs and provides helpful advice during a round.
Can be spelled 'caddy' or 'caddie'. A good caddy is highly valued for their knowledge of the course's terrain and strategy.
The story behind the word. Mary, Queen of Scots, is credited with bringing the term to Scotland in the 16th century. In France, young military officers in training were called 'cadets.' When Mary played golf in Scotland, these young French cadets carried her clubs. The Scots pronounced the word as 'caddy,' and it became the standard term for a golf assistant.
Word relationships
- assistant: Assistant is a general term, whereas caddy is a highly specialized assistant on a golf course.
Commonly confused with
- cart: A cart is a mechanical vehicle used to transport clubs, while a caddy is a human assistant.
Word family
- caddying (verb): Acting as a caddy.
- caddied (verb): Past tense of caddy.
Collocations
- professional caddy
- caddy for someone
- caddy bag
- experienced caddy
Example sentences
- "The caddy, a small boy with a cynical eye, watched the ball sail into the bushes." A classic description of a golf assistant.
- "He spent years working as a caddy at the country club before attempting to play professionally." Describing a professional caddy's duty.
Memory hook
A 'cadet' helps the captain; a 'caddy' helps the golfer. The cadet became the caddy.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a 'tea caddy' (a small box or container for holding tea leaves).
Fun facts
- Mary, Queen of Scots, was the first recorded female golfer, and her use of French cadets created the word 'caddy'.
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