Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its appearance. A butler is usually male, and in charge of male servants, while a housekeeper is usually a woman, and in charge of female servants. Traditionally, male servants (such as footmen) were rarer and therefore better paid and of higher status than female servants. The butler, as the senior male servant, has the highest servant status. He can also be sometimes used as a chauffeur.
In older houses where the butler is the most senior worker, titles such as majordomo, butler administrator, house manager, manservant, staff manager, chief of staff, staff captain, estate manager and head of household staff are sometimes given. The precise duties of the employee will vary to some extent in line with the title given, but perhaps, more importantly in line with the requirements of the individual employer. In the grandest homes or when the employer owns more than one residence, there is sometimes an estate manager of higher rank than the butler. The butler also served drinks or post to the people of the house. The butler can also be served by a head footman or footboy called the under-butler.
The butler was also the senior steward in a lascar ship’s crew.
Butler (noun)
A manservant having charge of wines and liquors.
Butler (noun)
The chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services.
Butler (noun)
A valet, a male personal attendant.
Butler (verb)
To buttle, to dispense wines or liquors; to take the place of a butler.
Housekeeper (noun)
One who looks after the home by herself; either as a wife or a hired servant.
“”She was their third housekeeper, but after a month or so she also gave up.”
Housekeeper (noun)
A woman who supervises the female domestic staff of a large home.
Housekeeper (noun)
One who supervises the cleaning staff of a hospital, hotel, or similar business.
Butler (noun)
the chief manservant of a house.
Housekeeper (noun)
a person employed to manage a household.
Housekeeper (noun)
a person employed to perform cleaning and other domestic tasks in a hotel or institution.
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