Staffer
/ˈstæf.ər/noun
A person who works as a member of an organization’s staff, especially in an office or campaign.
Did you know?The core word staff goes back to the idea of a stick or support, and English later turned it into a label for the people who literally “support” an organization behind the scenes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stebh-
“to support, place firmly”
Old English
EN
stæf
“a stick, rod, or support; also a letter of the alphabet”
Middle English
EN
staff
“a stick, rod, or a group of assistants supporting a leader”
19th Century
English
staff
“the body of employees serving an organization”
20th Century
English
staffer
“a member of staff, especially in politics, media, or an office”