Soda jerk

Wikipedia - "A soda jerk (or soda jerker) is a person—typically a youth—who operates the soda fountain in a drugstore, often for the purpose of preparing and serving flavored soda water or an ice cream soda. This was made by putting flavored syrup into a specially designed tall glass, adding carbonated water and, finally, one or two scoops of ice cream, or occasionally malt powder. The result was served with a long-handled spoon, most commonly known as a 'soda spoon', and drinking straws. The term 'soda jerk' was a pun on 'soda clerk', the formal job title of the drugstore assistants who operated soda fountains, and was inspired by the 'jerking' action the server would use to swing the soda fountain handle back and forth when adding the soda water. The soda fountain spigot itself typically was a sturdy, shiny fixture on the end of a metal pipe or other similar structure sticking out of the counter by several feet and curving towards where the glasses would be filled. The unflavored carbonated water was used to make all of the drinks. Consequently, the tap handle was typically large, as a busy shop would have the soda jerker using it frequently. This made the mixing of drinks a center of activity at the soda fountain counter. ..."
Wikipedia
The Lost Lingo of New York City’s Soda Jerks
Memories of Malcolm X, a Soda Jerk
Places to Get a Soda Jerk
NY Times: ECTOMORPHIC TOM LIKES COLLEGE LIFE (December 11, 1949), PDF
YouTube: Style: How to Be a Jerk, Rock Hudson on How to be a Soda Jerk

Townsend Drug Store, Boston. Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali - 1965