Swagsmen

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term for individuals, often entertainers or showmen, who travel for performances or displays
2. Referring to people who carry or promote goods, usually in a flamboyant or eye-catching manner
3. Describing a group of individuals known for their lively presentations, often involving merchandise or artful demonstrations

Etymology: "Swagsmen" is the plural of "swagsman," a word formed from "swag" plus the connecting element "-s-" and "man." The result is a compound of two English words rather than a borrowing from another language, so its interest lies in the parts it combines. The first part, "swag," has a long and varied career of its own. Its senses have ranged from loot and plunder to a bundle or pack, and "swag" is the word that gives this compound its core meaning of someone carrying goods or belongings from place to place. The "-s-" in the middle is a linking element, a small connector that joins the two halves into one unit. "Man" supplies the sense of a person, so a swagsman is literally a man associated with carrying and displaying his wares. Over time the word has come to describe travelling performers and showmen, whose trade involved moving their goods and acts from town to town.