What exactly does a Butler do?

Question

I know they are heads of households, but what do they do?

Answer 1

Everything the lady of the house refuses to do.

Answer 2

The butler is a senior servant in a large household. Usually the butler is the most senior staff member, although in the great houses of the past, the household was sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room (including the wine cellar) and pantry, and sometimes the entire parlour floor, and a housekeeper who was in charge of the whole house and its appearance. Housekeepers are occasionally portrayed in literature as being the most senior staff member and as even making recommendations for the hiring of the butler.

In modern houses where the butler is the most senior worker, titles such as Majordomo, Butler Administrator, House manager, Staff Manager, Estate Manager and Head of Household Staff are sometimes given. The precise duties of the employee will vary to some extent in line with the title given, but perhaps more importantly in line with the requirements of the individual employer.

The word "butler" derives from the Old French "bouteillier", (meaning "cup bearer"), from "bouteille", ("bottle") and ultimately from Latin. The role of the butler, for centuries, has been that of the chief steward of a household, the attendant entrusted with the care and serving of wine and other bottled beverages (which in ancient times might have represented a considerable portion of the household's assets).

Answer 3

Traditionally they were in charge of the wine cellar and the serving of beverages to the household. Pharaoh had one who famously as the chief cupbearer in Genesis ch. 40-41. Nowadays, however, a butler tends to be regarded as a "gentleman's gentleman", taking care of his master's wardrobe so that he is always clean and presentable. He will know how to tie a tie in 85 different ways, he will be conversant with the art of folding table napkins and of what wine glasses go where and what should be poured into them; he will make sure that his master's dressing table is neatly laid out with everything he needs; he will be knowledgeable about food and how to serve it and modern butlers are prepared to do the shopping for household supplies. It's one of the last bastions of sex discrimination. If there are any female butlers around, I've never come across them!

Answer 4

A butler 'buttles', or run a household.
Basically he is in charge of the general running and the smooth order of all household activities, the household staff, the overseeing of household finances, hiring and firing (subject to Master's or mistresse's assent).
He is de facto, head of 'household', but not head of house.
More than 30 years ago I had a butler.

Answer 5

Mr Butler,,,,, Loves The Jobs You Hate

Answer 6

Well, if you are on top of your game, you'll start off by stealing artefacts from the house you work at. Then, when the famous person you stole from dies, you then pretend to the world how she confided in you, write some books, and make millions of pounds and not think twice about your lack of morals.

Answer 7

They butle. Thgey are not the head of household but serve the head of house.
They sort meals order food and generaly keep day to day buisness running smoothly

Answer 8

Mine deals with all the other staff; he presses my clothes and helps me get dressed (putting on medals etc).

He come with me to hotels and looks after me generally.

Most important, though, is co-ordinating the other staff - house keeper, cleaner, driver, gardener, cooks etc.

Answer 9

Answer the door bell at any time and say to the caller "The Masters not at home"

Answer 10

answer the door, serve dinner, change lightbulbs, fix squeeky doors.

General handyman stuff crossed with housekeeper.