skivvy
11
9.9
- noun
- /ˈskɪvi/
- Archaic
:
criada
- In the large mansion, the skivvy was responsible for cleaning and laundry.
Examples
-
After the family moved to the countryside, they hired a skivvy to help with household chores.
-
You're just a skivvy from the lower tiers with no family and no prospects.
-
Many years ago, a skivvy often worked long hours without any recognition for her hard work.
Synonyms
7
3.5
A young woman who works in a house to help with chores
3
7.1
A woman who works in a home doing cleaning and cooking
1
5.1
A girl or young woman who works in a home doing chores
Old word for a woman who does hard, low-paid housework like cleaning and carrying luggage
A female worker who does different jobs when needed
How Menial
- Archaic
4
9.9
- Archaic
11
9.9
- Archaic
1
9.9
264
1.0
110
1.1
Surface Forms
Etymology
Skivvy probably began as slang, maybe from Italian schiavo meaning 'slave' or from the English verb skive meaning 'to avoid work'. So a skivvy came to be the person left with the worst, least pleasant jobs in a house, which is why the word means a domestic servant who does menial tasks.