hired help
Noun: 1. Employees hired for domestic or farm work: Refers to one or more people who are paid to perform household chores, maintenance, or agricultural labor. The term is often used in the singular form ("hired help") to refer to the group collectively, even when there are multiple individuals.
The term "hired help" is used to collectively refer to paid domestic or farm workers. It is a somewhat dated or formal term. * It is typically used by the employer or the person managing the household/farm. * While neutral, it can sometimes carry a connotation of social hierarchy or distance between the employer and the workers.
- Noun:
- The estate's hired help lived in cottages on the property.
- She left instructions for the hired help before leaving for her trip.
- In the summer, they bring in hired help to bring in the harvest.
- The phrase can be used to imply a temporary or non-permanent workforce, distinguishing paid employees from family members or owners performing the work.
- In historical or literary contexts, it often refers to servants, maids, butlers, or farmhands.
- Domestic help (n): A more specific term for paid workers employed in a household (e.g., cleaners, cooks, nannies).
- Help (n, informal): A common, abbreviated form used in similar contexts (e.g., "The help will arrive at 9 AM").
- Staff (n): A more general and modern term for a group of employees, which can be used in domestic contexts (e.g., household staff).
- Domestic workers
- Servants (archaic or formal)
- Employees (general)
- Laborers (for farm or manual work)
- Retainers (historical)
The term primarily denotes paid employees in domestic or agricultural settings. It does not typically refer to professional or office workers. Its use has declined in modern, everyday language in favor of more specific or neutral terms like "cleaner," "caregiver," or "farmworker."
- employee hired for domestic or farm work (often used in the singular to refer to several employees collectively)