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deadhead

An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.

ˈdɛdhɛdCurrent116 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 27, 2026

An employee of a transport company, especially a pilot or flight attendant, traveling as a passenger for logistical reasons, for example to return home or travel to the next assignment.

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  • “Hm, intriguing proposition. What is the deadhead equivalent to josaleigh pollet fans?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

Anyone traveling for free, without paying the expected fare.

Are you my deadhead to Miami?
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#3·Apr 27, 2026

A person either admitted to a theatrical or musical performance without charge, or paid to attend.

Origin: From . Some senses are derived from theater jargon (originally spelled dead head) for audience members admitted without paying, which probably arose in analogy to dead weight or deadwood in reference to their lack of contribution to revenue or in reference to their unenthusiastic (dead) response to performances. Perhaps even from , alchemy term for distillation residue. As Paul Quinion writes: Similarly, the term was applied to a dull or lazy person, one who contributes nothing to an enterprise, only in the early years of the twentieth century, well after the theatrical and transport senses. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Cluster: food_drink
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  • “What morning song would you offer a non-Deadhead?”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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