Here was a type of the travelling canvasser for a manufacturing house -- a class which at that time was first being dubbed by the slang of the day " drummers.
”这人是为生产厂家 推销 产品的旅行推销员,当时刚刚流行把这类人称作“皮包客. ”
《简明英汉词典》
It'seems the canvasser was once a general.
那位推销员好像原来是一位将军.
互联网
"a pollster conducts public opinion polls"
"a headcounter counts heads"