Courier used to mean tour guide?

Question

Hi, when i was using the oxford advanced learner's dictionary, i bumped into one of the sentences.

She works as a courier.

meaning she works as a tour guide. As this is a bilingual version of the OALD, english and chinese, the chinese translation literally means "she works as a tour guide". At first, i thought i spotted to

I wonder how common is this word used to mean tour guide in UK?

In my vocabulary, it only means express delivery.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

Yes, this is a valid meaning.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Hi - I've not familiar with this meaning. If someone said she was a courier, I would assume she took messages around, not people. (American here.)

Marius Hancu · Answer

I have this from an American dictionary:-)
See 2.
It must be old (?).
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cou·ri·er

Function: noun

1 : one that carries messages, news, or information either with urgent haste or in accordance with a regular schedule : MESSENGER<a courier who will carry the tidings of distress -- B.N.Cardozo> <courier communication nearly equivalent to postal service -- F.B.Warren>: as a : a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages <couriers who carry official despatches possess the right of inviolability -- G.H.Stuart> b : an espionage agent transferring secret information; sometimes : a runner of contraband or illicit materials : an underworld liaison man c : a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies

2 : a traveler's paid attendant : a servant who facilitates travel arrangements; often : a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency

3 Canada : MAIL CARRIER

4 : a plane or other conveyance used in courier duties

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BarbaraPA · Answer

Goodness! Those crazy Americans! They should update their dictionaries more often! I think you'll find this used to mean "tour guide" in America about as often as "gander" is uesd to mean "a foolish person" in the U.K.

Nona the brit · Answer

I've heard it used in the UK - as travel courier not just courier - but not for many years. It seems to have fallen out of fashion with regards to meaning tour guide. It seems that it is still the name of a profession though - this is a government funded site's career advice on 'travel courier': http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile145/ .

Alan.es · Answer

Though nowadays they are more often referred to as holiday reps, short for representatives, everybody here in Mallorca would instantly know what you meant if you used courier instead.

If you look for jobs in the holiday industry based in the UK, some of the companies still use courier as a job title.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Alan.esThough nowadays they are more often referred to as holiday reps, short for representatives, everybody here in Mallorca would instantly know what you meant if you used courier instead.

Wow, you must have seen Nadala lot by now

Alan.es · Answer

:-) Only on the tele or in the newspapers, and also Carlos Moya before him, but I do know personally somebody who knows somebody who knows them both! :-)

It is amazing that a relatively small island with a basic population of about 800,000 can produce two world-class tennis players in the same generation.

Courier used to mean tour guide?

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