Mädchen für alles
German
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Literally, “girl for everything”.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio: (file)
Noun
[edit]Mädchen für alles n (strong, genitive Mädchens für alles, plural Mädchen für alles)
- (informal, possibly offensive) a person of either sex who has a wide variety of abilities and does odd jobs; a handyman; a jack-of-all-trades
- Synonym: (formal, dated) Faktotum
Usage notes
[edit]- Though the word is not derogatory per se, one should refrain from using it towards strangers. It may be offensive both to men (because of the Mädchen) and women (because of the für alles).