Talk:Best boy/Archives/2019

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Does anyone know the origin of the term "best boy"? For comparison, the article on "gaffer" includes a section on its Derivation.

The origin is unknown. I've just amended the article to make that clear. aldiboronti (talk) 09:42, 14 December 2016 (UTC)

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The most popular theory in times past that I have seen (sorry, I don't have a citation) is the gaffer's most able and senior assistant, hence his "best boy" (since in times past the vast majority of film-set electricians have been male). That theory seems to have fallen out of favor in recent years as evidenced by the Etymology section of this article.

Incidentally, until relatively recently there was no such thing as a "best girl". Women who served in the position of the gaffer's most senior assistant were also called "best boy". I guess political correctness won the day on that one, too.

Also you mention that the page on "Gaffer" has a section on its derivation... note that the derivation from the use of a "gaff" to move overhead equipment isn't exactly a universally accepted derivation... other resources on the web claim that the term gaffer is a derivation of "godfather" or, iess often, "grandfather". So as usual there are many theories.

136.237.61.10 (talk) 14:43, 10 February 2017 (UTC)