Between maid
Encyclopedia
A between maid is a female junior servant
in a large household with many staff
. The position became largely defunct in the 20th century, as few household
s needed or could afford great retinues of servants with the elaborate hierarchy of the past.
The term hall girl came from her chief duty, which was waitressing in the Servants' Hall
. She was required to set the table and remove the dishes, as well as waiting at table. She may also have carried meals up to the head housekeeper
, if that head of staff did things like have breakfast or afternoon tea in her room(s).
The term between maid came from the fact that her duties were split between the area of responsibilities of the housekeeper, butler
and cook
; if these individuals did not like one another, the job of the between maid was a very difficult one.
Domestic worker
A domestic worker is a man, woman or child who works within the employer's household. Domestic workers perform a variety of household services for an individual or a family, from providing care for children and elderly dependents to cleaning and household maintenance, known as housekeeping...
in a large household with many staff
Great house
A great house is a large and stately residence; the term encompasses different styles of dwelling in different countries. The name refers to the makeup of the household rather than to any particular architectural style...
. The position became largely defunct in the 20th century, as few household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s needed or could afford great retinues of servants with the elaborate hierarchy of the past.
The term hall girl came from her chief duty, which was waitressing in the Servants' Hall
Servants' Hall
The Servants' Hall is a common room for domestic workers in a great house. The term usually refers to the servants' dining room.If there is no separate sitting room, the Servants' Hall doubles as the place servants may spend their leisure hours and serves as both sitting room and dining room.Meals...
. She was required to set the table and remove the dishes, as well as waiting at table. She may also have carried meals up to the head housekeeper
Housekeeper (servant)
A housekeeper is an individual responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the interior of a residence, including direction of subordinate maids...
, if that head of staff did things like have breakfast or afternoon tea in her room(s).
The term between maid came from the fact that her duties were split between the area of responsibilities of the housekeeper, butler
Butler
A butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its...
and cook
Cook (profession)
A cook is a person who prepares food for consumption. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Canada this profession requires government approval ....
; if these individuals did not like one another, the job of the between maid was a very difficult one.