scullery maid
Dish-washing domestic worker
A scullery maid was the lowest-ranking female servant in a large household, responsible for the dirtiest kitchen work—scrubbing pots, cleaning floors, washing dishes.
The position was grueling and poorly paid, with little chance for advancement.
The term is historical, belonging to the era of domestic service in grand houses: She started as a scullery maid and worked her way up to cook.
- drudgeOne doing hard, dull labor
- charwomanHired female cleaner
- apronWaist-tied protective garment
- skivvyThin undershirt
- elbow greaseStrenuous physical effort
domestic worker · hired help · chapped · below stairs · mop · scrubbing brush · washing up · dirty dishes · tweeny · pail · hot water · water · grease · basin · pots · downstairs · upstairs downstairs · Victorian era
- Cinderellaglass slipper, fairy godmother, Prince Charming, pumpkin, midnight
- castle staffchamberlain, butler, guard, handmaiden, jester
- household staffbutler, housekeeper, cook, nanny, servant
- servantsbutler, servant, servants, domestics, valet
- British slangblag, bloke, bodge, blagger, bobby
- domestic servantsparlormaid, housekeeper, domestic, domestic helper, cleaning lady
scullery maidbutler
Chief domestic servant
housekeeper · majordomo · head cook · chef · lady's maid
scullery maidlady of the house
Female head of household
master of the house · aristocrat · noblewoman · duchess · countess
maid, housemaid, scullery, milkmaid, chambermaid, maidservant, scullion, maidhood