Gofers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of worker who undertakes various tasks, often serving as an assistant or errand-runner in a workplace or on specific projects
2. Individuals employed to perform diverse duties, frequently supporting others by completing tasks and running errands
3. People hired to handle a range of responsibilities, typically taking direction from others to assist with projects and daily activities

Etymology: "Gofers" is the plural of "gofer", and the singular itself is a playful piece of workplace slang: a clipped form of "go for," as in "go for coffee" or "go for that document." The "fer" spelling imitates how "for" is casually pronounced in speech, so the word essentially records an errand-runner's instruction in the sound of the request. Some people also hear a pun in the word. The gopher, a burrowing rodent, is known both for tunneling through vast networks and for hoarding things, and the comparison to a busy worker who darts between tasks and collects supplies has tickled many speakers, though it is a likely wordplay rather than a documented origin.

Synonyms: errands, helpers, assistants