Printer's devil
Meaning
A young apprentice in a printing house who performs menial tasks and is often covered in ink.
Origin
In the bustling, ink-stained world of 17th-century printing houses, a unique figure emerged: the printer's devil. These were the youngest apprentices, often mere boys, whose job it was to fetch type, clean presses, and run errands. Covered head-to-toe in the ubiquitous black ink and soot that defined the workshop, their grimy appearance often led them to be likened to small, mischievous demons or imps. The superstition of printers attributing mistakes to the 'devil' also contributed, suggesting these ink-stained lads were either agents of, or looked like, these troublesome spirits, hence solidifying the vivid and enduring nickname for the lowliest member of the printing staff.
Examples
- The young apprentice, still learning the trade, spent his days as the printer's devil, fetching type and cleaning the press.
- Covered in smudges from head to toe, he truly looked the part of a printer's devil after a long shift.