scullion

[ skuhl-yuhn ]

noun

1. a kitchen servant who does menial work.
2. a low or contemptible person.

scullion

/ ˈskʌljən /

noun

1. a mean or despicable person
2. archaic.
   a servant employed to do rough household work in a kitchen

Word History and Origins

Origin of scullion¹

1475–85; perhaps < Middle French escouvillon dishcloth, equivalent to escouve broom (< Latin scōpa ) + -illon diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of scullion¹

C15: from Old French escouillon cleaning cloth, from escouve a broom, from Latin scōpa a broom

Example Sentences

Two men, 31 year old Gary Damien scullion and 31 year old Shane Harte and are charged with Mr Kelly's murder.

From BBC

Then he spent six weeks skulking around New York, searching for a ship that would hire him, finally finding work as a scullion on a small steamer headed across the Atlantic.

From The New Yorker

The neglect of the dishes, I discovered, was due to a curious impasse: Sally, the maid, now serving also as cook, refused to clean dishes, despising the lowly office of scullion.

From Literature

“You challenge my skills, you scullion? You know nothing of being a Hunter!”

From Literature

Fortunately, he was discovered that first night by the cook, given food to eat and then put to work as the third cook or scullion at $8.00 a month.

From Forbes

Related Words

• rascal