maid of all work

Noun

maid of all work (plural maid of all work)

1. A general-purpose housemaid.
   • So in living out, there is the maid of all work who scrubs the stove and scours the floor and rubs the knives and blacks the boots upon occasion, and in short, does any menial office required of her, and there is the housekeeper, presiding with all dignity over the household, who would perhaps...1874 February, N. T. Munroe, “The W. Letters”, in The Repository, volume 51, page 89
   • As we hope our book may fall into hands by which some information on this subject may be required, we give here a brief summary of a female domestic's daily duties, beginning at the beginning—the maid of all work.1877, Laura Valentine, The young woman's book: a useful manual for everyday life, page 91
2. (figuratively) Someone or something that serves many purposes.
   • If we may regard auratum as the queen of Lillies, it will be none the less fair to regard Specienum as the maid of all work, and a very pretty maid of all work it will perhaps be said.1886 June 8, The Indian Gardener, volume 2, page 233
   • I noticed last night that a very famous diplomatist, anxious to describe, in short but very pointed language, the services of a famous ambassador of our land, could find no other words than to say the he had been willing to be a "maid of all work" for the country.1889 May 30, “Evening Meeting, Samuel Gurney Shepherd”, in China's Millions, volume 15, page 110