parlourmaid
Victorian household staff
A parlourmaid was a domestic servant in a large household, responsible for answering the door, serving tea, and attending to guests in the parlour and other reception rooms.
The position ranked above housemaid but below housekeeper in the servant hierarchy.
The term is British and largely historical, belonging to the era of formal household service: The parlourmaid announced that dinner was served.
Also spelled parlormaid.
On a higher level
- downstairsOn a lower floor
- manorLanded aristocratic residence
- estateProperty and grounds
- gentryHighborn but not noble
Edwardian · Downton · hierarchy · below stairs · servants' quarters · drawing room · morning room · bell pull
Domestic cleaning professional
- butlerChief domestic servant
- footmanUniformed domestic male attendant
- valetPersonal servant or parker
- cookHeat food for eating
staff · uniform · apron · cap · service · duties · household · cleaning
Expression of welcome
- visitorsPeople who come temporarily
- guestsPeople received hospitably
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- tea serviceMatching vessels for steeping
announcing · door · calling cards · entertaining · hostess · welcome · courtesy · formal
upstairs
On a higher level
- downstairsOn a lower floor
- manorLanded aristocratic residence
- estateProperty and grounds
gentry · Edwardian · Downton · hierarchy · below stairs · servants' quarters · drawing room · morning room · bell pull · calling card
housekeeper
Domestic cleaning professional
cook · staff · uniform · apron · cap · service · duties · household · cleaning · dusting
greeting
Expression of welcome
tea service · announcing · door · calling cards · entertaining · hostess · welcome · courtesy · formal · presentation
parlourmaidbutler
Chief domestic servant
housekeeper · head housekeeper · lady's maid · master of the house · employer
parlourmaidmistress
Illicit female lover
lady of the house · master · householder · employer · gentleman
parlourmaidcook
Heat food for eating
kitchen maid · scullery maid · gardener · groom · coachman
maid, parlour, maiden, parlor, barmaid, parlous, housemaid, bridesmaid, maidenly