factotum
UK: fækˈtəʊtəm | US: fækˈtoʊtəm
n. a person employed to do all kinds of work; a jack-of-all-trades.
factotum = fac<do> + totum<everything>
- fac (from Latin facere, meaning "to do" or "make")
- totum (from Latin totus, meaning "all" or "everything")
Etymology Origin:
The word factotum originates from Medieval Latin, combining fac (imperative of facere, "do") and totum ("everything"). It literally means "do everything," reflecting the role of a versatile servant or assistant handling diverse tasks. The term entered English in the 16th century, retaining its original sense of a general-purpose worker.
The office factotum manages everything from filing to fixing the printer.
In small theaters, the director often acts as a factotum, overseeing both creative and logistical tasks.
He hired a factotum to handle household chores and errands.
As a freelance factotum, she takes on odd jobs to make ends meet.
The village factotum was respected for his ability to repair tools, tend gardens, and even mediate disputes.