maid-of-all-work
Domestic does everything
A maid-of-all-work was a domestic servant who performed all household duties rather than specializing in one area like cooking or cleaning.
The term dates from an era when wealthier households employed multiple servants with distinct roles, while more modest homes could afford only one who handled everything.
By extension, the phrase describes anyone expected to take on all manner of tasks: She functioned as the office maid-of-all-work, handling everything from correspondence to coffee.
Multiskilled non-specialist
- multitaskerOne handling multiple duties
- all-rounderMulti-skilled person
- generalistOne with broad expertise
- adaptableAble to adjust readily
resourceful · flexible · cross-trained · utility · handy · capable · competent · skilled
One employed to serve
- domesticOf the home
- housekeeperDomestic cleaning professional
- charwomanHired female cleaner
- housemaidLive-in cleaning employee
skivvy · tweeny · single-handed · below-stairs · in-service · mistress
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
- grindCrush into particles
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- drudgeOne doing hard, dull labor
hardship · exhaustion · thankless · backbreaking · menial · grueling · sweat · fatigue
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- launderingCleaning fabric items
- cookingPreparing food with heat
mending · ironing · dusting · bed-making · washing-up · starching · peeling · kneading
Of 19th-century Britain
- nineteenth-centuryThe years 1801-1900
- downstairsOn a lower floor
- below-stairsServant areas of house
- sculleryRoom for dishwashing
workhouse · upstairs-downstairs · gaslit · back-stairs · live-in · vintage · antiquated · bygone
jack-of-all-trades
Multiskilled non-specialist
- multitaskerOne handling multiple duties
- all-rounderMulti-skilled person
- generalistOne with broad expertise
adaptable · resourceful · flexible · cross-trained · utility · handy · capable · competent · skilled · dexterous
servant
One employed to serve
- domesticOf the home
- housekeeperDomestic cleaning professional
- charwomanHired female cleaner
housemaid · skivvy · tweeny · single-handed · below-stairs · in-service · mistress
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
drudge · hardship · exhaustion · thankless · backbreaking · menial · grueling · sweat · fatigue · weary
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- launderingCleaning fabric items
cooking · mending · ironing · dusting · bed-making · washing-up · starching · peeling · kneading · scouring
victorian
Of 19th-century Britain
- nineteenth-centuryThe years 1801-1900
- downstairsOn a lower floor
- below-stairsServant areas of house
scullery · workhouse · upstairs-downstairs · gaslit · back-stairs · live-in · vintage · antiquated · bygone
maid-of-all-workspecialist
Expert in one field
lady's maid · cook · butler · footman · valet
maid-of-all-workmaster of the house
Home's primary authority figure
lady of the manor · employer · householder · gentleman · lady
maid, work, maids, maiden, maidens, maidenly, maidenhood, works, worked