scullion en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
- /ˈskʌl.i.ən/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
Either from Middle French escouillon (“a swab, cloth”), diminutive of escouve (“broom, twig”) from Latin scopa, or an alteration of Old French souillon (“scullion”) by influence of scullery.
Meanings
-
A servant from the lower classes.
They all looked directly at the ſcullion,—the ſcullion had juſt been ſcouring a fiſh-kettle.
1762, [Laurence Sterne], chapter IX, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume V, London: […] T. Becket and P. A. Dehondt, […], →OCLC, page 52:"How now, you scullions and cullions: bring hither a pair of cow's hooves to out face this contumelious caitiff."
1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 44:
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(derogatory, obsolete) A low, base person.
Away, you scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian!
c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| scullions | Number=Plur | lexicographic |