Waitron

[Jane Parker]

When I lived in Minneapolis MN in the mid-'80 the term waitron was commonly used
instead of waiter/waitress in the want ads and by the waitrons themselves.
People laughed at me (even some linguistic professors) when I went to gradschool
in IN.  I have not seen or heard it used since.  Is anyone else familiar with
this term?    I think is was sort of a gender neutral combo of waitress and
automaton.

Jane P Parker