What does jobber mean?
A jobber is an informal word for a stockbroker, someone who buys and sells shares or other securities on behalf of clients. The term is now dated, particularly in British English, where it can suggest the traditional stockbroker or the less formal “city” dealer of an earlier financial era. Earlier in its history, “jobber” had broader meanings: it could refer to a person who undertook miscellaneous tasks and, later, to a middleman who traded on other people’s behalf. The financial sense is still readily understood, especially in discussions of older markets and financial history. Although the standard modern terms are “stockbroker,” “broker,” and “trader,” “jobber” remains useful as a historical term and offers a vivid glimpse of the vocabulary once used to describe people working in financial markets.
An informal or historical term for a stockbroker, especially one who buys and sells securities.
"The jobber recommended buying the shares early in the week."
The term is now chiefly old-fashioned, especially in British English.
Historically, a person who performed miscellaneous or occasional paid work.
"The farm employed several jobbers to help during the harvest."
This sense is archaic and survives mainly in historical texts.
Historically, a middleman or agent who bought and sold goods on behalf of others.
"The cloth jobber negotiated with merchants on the merchants’ behalf."
This sense is historical and is chiefly encountered in older literature.
The plural is formed by adding -s; in modern usage it usually refers collectively to stockbrokers.
"The jobbers met on the exchange floor before trading began."
The word once described a general handyman; today, “jobber” survives chiefly as an old-fashioned label for a stockbroker.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jobber come from?
“Jobber” was formed from “job” and the agent suffix “-er,” originally meaning a person who did jobs or assorted tasks. Its meaning developed through a general worker or middleman to the more specific financial sense of a person who bought and sold stocks and other securities. The financial sense is now old-fashioned but remains familiar through the history of stock exchanges and the language of commerce.
Related word forms
How jobber is actually used
In modern use, the financial sense is informal and often sounds dated, especially in British English. The older senses for a general worker or middleman are now chiefly historical.
Easily confused with jobber
A broker is a general term for someone who acts for others in transactions, whereas a jobber is an informal, chiefly historical term for a stockbroker.
A joiner is a craftsman who makes and fits woodwork, while a jobber was a general worker or, later, a stockbroker.