How do you use "Desk jockey" in a sentence?

I'm just a desk jockey—never see the outside. Used to work in construction, now I'm a desk jockey. All these desk jockeys need to get some fresh air. Desk jockey life is not for everyone.

Desk jockey

Q: What does "Desk jockey" mean?

An office worker who sits at a desk all day Slightly dismissive term for someone who works at a desk rather than doing physical or field work. Implies sedentary, paperwork-focused employment.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: An office worker who sits at a desk all day

整天坐在办公桌前的上班族

Un oficinista que pasa todo el día sentado en su escritorio

一日中デスクに座っているオフィスワーカー

하루 종일 책상에 앉아 있는 사무직 근로자

Slightly dismissive term for someone who works at a desk rather than doing physical or field work. Implies sedentary, paperwork-focused employment.

略带贬义的说法，指在办公桌前工作而非从事体力或外勤工作的人。暗示久坐、以文书工作为主的职业。

Término ligeramente despectivo para alguien que trabaja en un escritorio en lugar de hacer trabajo físico o de campo. Implica un empleo sedentario centrado en el papeleo.

肉体労働や現場仕事ではなく、デスクワークをする人をやや軽視した表現。座りっぱなしで書類仕事中心の仕事を暗示する。

육체노동이나 현장 업무 대신 책상에 앉아서 일하는 사람을 약간 깎아내리는 표현. 앉아서 서류 작업만 하는 직업을 암시한다.

Examples

I'm just a desk jockey—never see the outside.
我只是个办公室白领，从来见不到外面
Solo soy un oficinista, nunca veo el exterior
私はただのデスクワーカー、外なんて見たことない
나는 그냥 사무직이야—밖은 본 적도 없어.
Used to work in construction, now I'm a desk jockey.
以前做建筑，现在成了坐办公室的
Antes trabajaba en construcción, ahora soy oficinista
以前は建設現場で働いていたけど、今はデスクワークだ
예전에는 건설 현장에서 일했는데, 지금은 사무직이야.
All these desk jockeys need to get some fresh air.
这些办公室白领需要出去透透气
Todos estos oficinistas necesitan aire fresco
このデスクワーカーたちには外の空気が必要だ
이 사무직들은 좀 바깥 공기를 마셔야 해.
Desk jockey life is not for everyone.
坐办公室的生活不适合每个人
La vida de oficinista no es para todos
デスクワーク生活は誰にでも向いているわけじゃない
사무직 생활은 아무나 할 수 있는 게 아니야.

Pronunciation

/dɛsk ˈdʒɒki/

Usage Guide

Context: office work, employment, self-deprecation

Tone: slightly dismissive or self-deprecating

✓ Do Say

Desk jockey.
办公室白领
Oficinista
デスクワーカー
사무직 직원.
Just a desk jockey.
只是个坐办公室的
Solo un oficinista
ただのデスクワーカー
그냥 사무직이야.
We desk jockeys.
我们这些办公室白领
Los oficinistas
我々デスクワーカーは
우리 사무직들은.

✗ Don't Say

Don't use insultingly
不要用来侮辱人
No usar de forma insultante
侮辱的に使わない
모욕적으로 사용하지 말 것
Self-deprecating is OK
自嘲可以
La autocrítica está bien
自虐として使うのはOK
자조적으로 쓰는 것은 괜찮음

Common Mistakes

Can be self-deprecating or dismissive
Not highly offensive but can be

Origin & History

From 'jockey' meaning one who rides or operates something, combined with desk—someone who 'rides' a desk.

Etymology: Analogy to disc jockey (DJ)

First recorded: American slang, mid-20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Middle class, office workers

Pop culture: Office Space; The Office

Regional notes: Common in American English. Used in UK and Australia too.

Variations

Desk jockeyDesk warriorCubicle dweller