Majordomo (domestic staff)
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This article is about an occupation. For email software, see Majordomo (software).
A majordomo is the head (major) person of a domestic (domo) staff, one who acts on behalf of the (often absent) owner of a typically large residence. Similar terms include castellan, chamberlain, seneschal, maître d', butler and steward.
The etymology is from mayordomo (Spanish) and major domus (Latin).
Usually ranking above the butler, the majordomo is responsible for all managerial and financial affairs concerning his employer's households. This term, now seldom used, was common in Europe until the early 20th century. Significantly, the French term now used as equivalent to butler still is majordome.
[edit] See also
- Mayor of the Palace, an essentially political medieval use of the title and office .
- Papal majordomo
