Scullery
/ˈskʌl.əri/noun
A small room or area for washing dishes and kitchen utensils.
Did you know?Scullery comes through Anglo-French from a Latin root tied to serving and attending, not from skulls or anything occult, even though its harsh sound makes it feel like it belongs in a haunted house.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sekw-
“to follow, attend, accompany”
Latin
Latin
sequi
“to follow”
Late Latin
Latin
subsequi
“to follow after, attend to”
Old French
Old French
escueler / escuelerie
“a place for washing dishes or kitchen service”
Middle English
English
scullerie
“a room for washing dishes and kitchen vessels”
Modern English
English
scullery
“a small utility room for washing and kitchen work”
Explore more surprising origins