factotum

noun

fac·to·tum fak-ˈtō-təm How to pronounce factotum (audio)

: a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities

: a general servant

Did you know?

"Do everything!" That's a tall order, but it is exactly what a factotum is expected to do. It's also a literal translation of the New Latin term factotum, which in turn traces to the Latin words facere ("to do") and totum ("everything"). In the 16th century, factotum was used in English much like a surname, paired with first names to create personalities such as "Johannes Factotum" (literally "John Do-everything"). Back then, it wasn't necessarily desirable to be called a factotum; the term was a synonym of "meddler" or "busybody." Now the word is more often used for a handy, versatile individual responsible for many different tasks.

Example Sentences

He was the office factotum.

Recent Examples on the Web Pulling the curtain through the years is Atung (Glenn Obrero), a figure who exists somewhere between spectacle and narrator, authorial representative and stagehand, factotum and moral conscience.

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 In early 1929, only a few months after the young Doheny family moved in, Ned and his friend and factotum, Hugh Plunkett, were both shot and killed in a guest bedroom.

Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2022 To woo Rosina, Almaviva hires Figaro, the town’s factotum (a jack-of-all-trades) who is the doctor’s barber and wig stylist.

San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2021 In a nutshell, this figure of speech fits Detroit Tigers reliever Buck Farmer, the factotum of the bullpen.

Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2021 The longtime Clinton factotum Lanny Davis devoted a book to the argument.

Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2020 Kennedy was named for Eddie Moore, a longtime family factotum (and sometime procurer for Joe).

Edward Kosner, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020 In camp, Bundini was a factotum who did everything for his charge.

Gordon Marino, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2020 On Friday Beijing’s local factotum used the pandemic as an excuse to postpone elections for a year, and dissenters are being arrested or fired.

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

from the Latin phrase fac tōtum "do all!", from fac (singular imperative of facere "to make, do" + tōtum "the whole, entirety," from neuter of tōtus "all, the whole of") — more at fact, total entry 1

Note: Perhaps originally short for dominus/domine factotum, magister factotum, and parallel expressions that mean approximately "jack-of-all-trades," though evidence for the isolated collocation fac totum is nearly as early. Martin Luther uses fac totum in the non-personal sense "that which does everything" in his commentary on Galatians (1535): "Est igitur fides fac totum (ut ita loquar) in operibus" ("It is faith, as I so speak, that is the do-all in works").

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	factotum
释义	factotum noun fac·to·tum fak-ˈtō-təm 1 : a person having many diverse activities or responsibilities 2 : a general servant Did you know? "Do everything!" That's a tall order, but it is exactly what a factotum is expected to do. It's also a literal translation of the New Latin term factotum, which in turn traces to the Latin words facere ("to do") and totum ("everything"). In the 16th century, factotum was used in English much like a surname, paired with first names to create personalities such as "Johannes Factotum" (literally "John Do-everything"). Back then, it wasn't necessarily desirable to be called a factotum; the term was a synonym of "meddler" or "busybody." Now the word is more often used for a handy, versatile individual responsible for many different tasks. Example Sentences He was the office factotum. Recent Examples on the Web Pulling the curtain through the years is Atung (Glenn Obrero), a figure who exists somewhere between spectacle and narrator, authorial representative and stagehand, factotum and moral conscience. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2022 In early 1929, only a few months after the young Doheny family moved in, Ned and his friend and factotum, Hugh Plunkett, were both shot and killed in a guest bedroom. Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2022 To woo Rosina, Almaviva hires Figaro, the town’s factotum (a jack-of-all-trades) who is the doctor’s barber and wig stylist. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2021 In a nutshell, this figure of speech fits Detroit Tigers reliever Buck Farmer, the factotum of the bullpen. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2021 The longtime Clinton factotum Lanny Davis devoted a book to the argument. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2020 Kennedy was named for Eddie Moore, a longtime family factotum (and sometime procurer for Joe). Edward Kosner, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2020 In camp, Bundini was a factotum who did everything for his charge. Gordon Marino, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2020 On Friday Beijing’s local factotum used the pandemic as an excuse to postpone elections for a year, and dissenters are being arrested or fired. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2020 See More Word History Etymology from the Latin phrase fac tōtum "do all!", from fac (singular imperative of facere "to make, do" + tōtum "the whole, entirety," from neuter of tōtus "all, the whole of") — more at fact, total entry 1 Note: Perhaps originally short for dominus/domine factotum, magister factotum, and parallel expressions that mean approximately "jack-of-all-trades," though evidence for the isolated collocation fac totum is nearly as early. Martin Luther uses fac totum in the non-personal sense "that which does everything" in his commentary on Galatians (1535): "Est igitur fides fac totum (ut ita loquar) in operibus" ("It is faith, as I so speak, that is the do-all in works"). First Known Use 1562, in the meaning defined at sense 1 factotum noun as in assistant formal a person whose job involves doing many different types of work He was the office factotum. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance assistant attendant servant steward housekeeper butler maid lackey man flunky menial flunkey majordomo domestic companion manservant flunkie servitor houseboy footman houseman follower valet dogsbody gofer handmaiden daily woman retainer groom housemaid maidservant wench drudge lady-in-waiting handmaid gopher Antonyms & Near Antonyms chief foreman boss captain leader head master mistress taskmaster kingpin headman helmsman See More
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