factotum

Definitions

A frozen Latin command turned into a noun: fac (do!, from facere) + totum (everything, neuter of tōtus) = literally 'do everything.' A factotum is the person you hand every odd job to — the handyman, the office dogsbody, the do-it-all assistant.

Why It Means This

The word preserves a whole Latin phrase inside one noun. Originally it appeared in the half-mocking name Johannes factotum, 'Johnny do-it-all,' for a busybody who meddled in everything. Over time it softened into a neutral (if slightly old-fashioned) word for the indispensable all-purpose helper — the person who keeps a household or office running by doing every small task no one else wants.

Common Collocations

• 1.office factotum办公室杂役
• 2.household factotum家庭总管
• 3.general factotum全能杂役

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He started as the office factotum, fixing printers and making coffee.

• 2.

  For thirty years she was the household factotum, doing whatever needed doing.