tallyman

Noun

tallyman (plural tallymen)

1. A person who keeps a tally of something.
   • Uncoupling a train into cuts in the reception sidings - as a shunter wields his pole, the tallyman reads off details of the train to the Traffic Office through his portable radio transmitter.1960 July, G. Freeman Allen, “Margam yard - the most modern in Europe”, in Trains Illustrated, page 406, photo caption
   • At the prefab site entrance, we collect our breathing apparatus from the 'tallyman' who books people in and out of the tunnel.2022 March 23, Paul Bigland, “HS2 is just 'passing through'”, in RAIL, number 953, page 41
2. A man who conducts the tally trade.
3. (archaic, informal, regional) A man who cohabits (with someone) outside of marriage.
   • The term tally-man and tally-woman, indicating a man and woman living together without marriage, are used in mining districts, where such unions are far from uncommon.1890, Thomas Ratcliffe, “Tally-woman”, in Notes and Queries, page 297
4. (Ireland) A counting agent; typically one who is a man.