scullion

scullion · noun¹

1. Old French · derived fromsouillon“scullion”
2. Latin · derived fromscopa
3. Middle French · derived fromescouillon“a swab, cloth”
4. English todayscullion

Either from Middle French escouillon (“a swab, cloth”), diminutive of escouve (“broom, twig”) from Latin scopa, or an alteration of Old French souillon (“scullion”) by influence of scullery.

Scullion · proper noun²

1. Irish · derived fromÓ Scoláidhín
2. English todayScullion

Probably a reduced Anglicized form of Irish Ó Scoláidhín, a diminutive form of scolaidhe (“student”).

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 1400s A low, base person.