A Hostler, also spelled phonetically ostler, is a stableman, i.e. employed in a stable to take care of horses.

Word History

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The word, recorded since c.1386, meaning "one who tends to horses at an inn," also, occasionally, "innkeeper", is sometimes jokingly said to be derived from "oat-stealer", but is actually derived from Anglo-French hostiler (modern French hostelier), itself from the Medieval Latin hostilarius "the monk who entertains guests at a monastery," from hospitale "inn" (compare hospital).

Other uses

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In a more modern usage, since horse riding became uncommon for functional travel, "hostler" is the 'analogous' title for a railroad employee qualified to move locomotives while in a yard or shops complex, but not on the main line. It is also used in large truck yards for a small and more manueverable truck used to move trailers around within the yard.

Cultural reference

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In the 1906 poem The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes, is implied that because Tim the ostler is in love with Bess, the landlord's daughter, and Bess loves the Highwayman, Tim rats them out to the British soldiers. ^*

Sources and references

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(incomplete)

• EtymologyOnLine- Hostler

The Name Hosler derived from this word and is currently a Surname, rumor has that Hosler is a German name.