scullion

American  

[skuhl-yuhn] / ˈskʌl yən /

noun

1. a kitchen servant who does menial work.

2. a low or contemptible person.

---

scullion British  

/ ˈskʌljən /

noun

1. a mean or despicable person

2. archaic a servant employed to do rough household work in a kitchen

---

Etymology

Origin of scullion

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

Example Sentences

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

The whole castle, from Lady Stark to the lowliest kitchen scullion, knew he was hostage to his father's good behavior, and treated him accordingly.

From Literature

Related Words

• rascal