1. Occupation: This is the most common meaning. A butler is a male domestic servant who is responsible for managing a household, especially in a large estate or wealthy family. They handle things like:
* Serving meals and drinks
* Managing the staff
* Maintaining the house
* Taking care of guests
2. Surname: "Butler" is also a common surname of English origin.
3. Informal: Sometimes, "butler" is used informally as a term for someone who is very efficient and organized at a specific task, usually in a humorous context. For example, someone might jokingly say, "I'm the 'butler' of the office" if they are always the one who organizes events or ensures everything runs smoothly.
4. "Buttery" in "Butler": The word "butler" is derived from the Old French word "boteillier", which means "wine steward" or "wine cellar keeper". So, the word itself has a connection to wine and drinks, which is reflected in the modern usage of "butler" for a servant who serves drinks.
To understand which meaning is intended, you need to consider the context in which the word is used.