different between taxman vs axman

English

Alternative forms

• tacksman (obsolete)

Etymology

tax +? man

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: t?ks?m?n, IPA^(key): /?tæksmæn/
• (UK) enPR: t?ks?m?n, IPA^(key): /?taksman/

Noun

taxman (plural taxmen)

1. (sometimes derogatory) A tax collector.
   • 1668 July 3rd, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Hou?toun” in The Deci?ions of the Lords of Council & Se??ion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 547

     Andrew Hou?toun and Adam Mu?het, being Tack?men of the Excize, did Imploy Thomas Rue to be their Collector, and gave him a Sallary of 30. pound Sterling for a year.

2. (sometimes derogatory) A tax-collecting organ, personified.
   • 1966, The Kinks, Sunny Afternoon

     The taxman’s taken all my dough.
     Left me in my stately home.

   • 1978, The Estates, Gifts and Trusts Journal

     ... a duty even more dreaded: to pay taxes. The taxman is primarily interested in those strong enough to create and lucky enough to sell.

   • 2013, Tom Parker Bowles, The Year of Eating Dangerously: A Global Adventure in Search of Culinary Extremes, St. Martin's Press (?ISBN)

     The taxman is an especially hated presence. 'Let's just say that certain elements around these parts could live without their company,' observes one ...

Usage notes

• The term is gender-neutral (the term taxwoman is not in common usage).

Synonyms

• tax collector

Translations

English

Etymology

ax +? -man

Noun

axman (plural axmen)

1. Alternative spelling of axeman