Entry in progress—B.P.
Wikipedia: Doorman (profession)
A doorman (also porter in British English) is an individual hired to provide courtesy and security services at a residential building or hotel. They are particularly common in urban luxury highrises. At a residential building, a doorman is responsible for opening doors and screening visitors and deliveries. He will often provide other courtesy services such as signing for packages, carrying luggage between the elevator and the street, or hailing taxis for residents and guests.
History
The occupation dates back at least to the time of Plautus under the Roman Republic where its name was iānitor (from iānua, ‘door’, the root of both “January” and “janitor").
Modern era
The United States House of Representatives had an official doorkeeper until the post was abolished in 1995.
In New York City, doormen and elevator operators are unionized and typically represented by SEIU 32BJ. They last went on strike in 1991 and other strikes were narrowly averted in 2006 and 2010.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
doorman, n.
Also doorsman. An attendant at the door of a shop or place of entertainment.
1858 Evening Star 18 June Doorsman to a photographic artist.
1895 Daily News 10 Jan. 5/2 A ‘doorsman,’ whose business it was to..invite the patronage of the public.
1904 Daily Chron. 26 July 6/4 A publican whose doorman ejected a customer.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 27 June 9/1 Employment as porter, odd-man, lift-man, or door-man.
Twitter
manwhohasitall
@manwhohasitall
“I don’t mind being called a ‘doorwoman’ because I know it covers both women & men. Anything else would sound silly,” Frank, male doorwoman
5:00 AM - 15 Sep 2017
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik.