Butler

:For other uses see Butler (disambiguation)

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The butler is a senior servant in a large household. Usually the butler is the most senior staff member, although in the great houses of the past, the household was sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room (including the wine cellar) and pantry, and sometimes the entire parlour floor, and a housekeeper who was in charge of the whole house and its appearance. Housekeepers are occasionally portrayed in literature as being the most senior staff member and as even making recommendations for the hiring of the butler.

Related Topics:
Servant - Household - Great house - Wine cellar

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In modern houses where the butler is the most senior worker, titles such as Majordomo, Butler Administrator, Staff Manager, Estate Manager and Head of Household Staff are sometimes given.

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The word "butler" derives from the Old French "bouteillier", (meaning "cup bearer"), from "buteille", ("bottle"). The role of the butler, for centuries, has been that of the chief steward of a household, the attendant entrusted with the care and serving of wine and other bottled beverages (which in ancient times represented a considerable portion of the household's assets.)

Related Topics:
Old French - Steward

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In Britain the butler was originally a middle ranking member of the staff of a grand household. In the 17th and 18th centuries

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The earliest literary mention of a butler is probably that of the man whose release from prison was predicted by Joseph in the biblical account of Joseph's interpretation of the dreams of the Pharaoh's servants.

Related Topics:
Joseph - Biblical - Pharaoh

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