What does pitchmen mean?
Pitchmen is the plural of pitchman, a word for a forceful salesperson, promoter, or persuader. The expression suggests someone who makes a convincing or highly enthusiastic pitch, often in a commercial setting such as a shop, market, fair, or campaign. It can also refer collectively to players whose role is to pitch in baseball or another ball game, although this use is more associated with American English and informal or historical sports writing. The word commonly carries a mildly colorful or dismissive tone when used of salespeople, implying that they are unusually persistent, theatrical, or skilled at persuasion. Its components are transparent: pitch evokes both a sales presentation and the action of throwing a ball, while man identifies the person performing that role. Although the singular form is much more common in modern usage, the plural remains useful when referring to a sales team, a group of promoters, or several players.
nounThe plural of pitchman. Pitchmen are salespeople, promoters, or other individuals who make enthusiastic or aggressive presentations to persuade others, especially to buy a product or support an idea.
- Plural of pitchman: salespeople or promoters who persuade others to buy something or support an idea.
- Plural of pitchman: players who pitch in baseball or other ball games.
"The company hired several pitchmen to promote its new product at trade fairs."
"The two pitchmen worked the crowd with exaggerated claims about the product."
"The team's two best pitchmen combined for a shutout."
The standard plural of pitchman.
"Several pitchmen stood outside the stadium promoting local businesses."
A pitchman sells more than products: the very word combines the idea of a sales pitch with a person making it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pitchmen come from?
The compound pitchman combines pitch, meaning a sales presentation or persuasive line of argument, with man. The same compound also developed a sporting sense, referring to a player who pitches a ball. The word ultimately belongs to a family of English forms associated with the Germanic root for throwing or placing something, represented in such words as pitch, pitcher, and pitchfork.
How pitchmen is actually used
In its sales sense, the word often suggests an energetic, forceful, or sometimes overly enthusiastic style of selling. In sports, it is more common in American English and may sound somewhat old-fashioned in formal writing.
Easily confused with pitchmen
Pitchman is the singular form, while pitchmen is the plural.