linesman

Linesman is a term used for several kinds of officials or workers who operate along lines or boundaries. In sports, linesmen provide oversight on the edges of play; in utilities, a lineman installs and maintains lines and cables. The term has multiple regional and historical uses, and in modern language some senses have been replaced with more specific terms.

In association football (soccer), linesman refers to what is now commonly called an assistant referee. Linesmen assist the main referee by judging whether the ball has left the field, signaling offside offences, and helping with fouls and disciplinary matters. They signal with a flag and work on one of the touchlines, typically in pairs, to complement the referee’s decisions.

In ice hockey, linesmen are officials responsible for calls along the rink’s lines. Their primary duties include determining offsides and icing, conducting faceoffs during stoppages, and assisting the referee with game control. They generally do not call penalties but may report fouls to the referee and help manage on-ice conduct.

In American football, the linesman was historically an official on the line of scrimmage on one sideline. Many leagues have reframed this role as the line judge or have redistributed responsibilities among several officials. The term linesman is thus largely historical in modern football usage.

In the utilities sector, a lineman (also spelled linesman in some regions) is a worker who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical or telecommunications lines, such as power distribution cables or fiber optic networks. This work often involves climbing poles or towers and adhering to safety standards.

Language usage varies by region and sport. The term linesman is increasingly replaced by lineman or assistant referee in many contexts, while linesmen remain a historical or sport-specific designation.