a member of a work crew, as in a factory or logging camp, who acts as a boss; assistant foreman.
Origin
1890-95, Americanism
straw-boss
[straw-baws, -bos] /ˈstrɔˌbɔs, -ˌbɒs/
verb (used with object)
1.
to act as a straw boss to:
She was assigned to straw-boss the night shift.
Slang definitions & phrases for straw boss
straw boss
noun phrase
The foreman of a work crew
Any assistant chief or subordinate director
[1894+; said to be fr the arrangement of a threshing crew, where the chief would superintend the grain itself, and the second the straw; perhaps fr Dutch stroodekkerbaas]
Idioms and Phrases with straw boss
straw boss
A subordinate boss, a worker who supervises other workers as well as performing regular duties. For example, Jim was pleased when he was promoted to straw boss. This term alludes to the person's position as a straw man, that is, a front or cover for the real boss and of only nominal importance. [ Late 1800s ]