scullion
pronunciation
How to pronounce scullion in British English:
UK ['skʌljən]
How to pronounce scullion in American English:
US ['skʌljən]
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- Noun:
- a kitchen servant employed to do menial tasks (especially washing)
Word Origin
- scullion (n.)
- "low-ranking domestic servant who performs menial kitchen tasks," late 15c., perhaps from Middle French escouillon "a swab, cloth," diminutive of escouve "broom, twig," from Latin scopa (plural scopæ) "broom," related to scapus "shaft, stem" (see scape (n.2)). Or an alteration of Old French souillon "scullion," by influence of scullery.
Example
- 1. He hired a battery of staff to help him with the daily chores , including a scullion ( dishwasher ) , a laundress and a shoeblack ( someone who cleans shoes ) .