Mädchen für alles

German

Etymology

Literally, "girl for everything".

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Mädchen für alles n (strong, genitive Mädchens für alles, plural Mädchen für alles)

1. (informal, possibly offensive) a person of either sex who has a wide variety of abilities and does odd jobs; a handyman; a jack-of-all-trades

   Synonym: (formal, dated) Faktotum

Usage notes

• Though the word is not derogatory per se, one should refrain from using it towards strangers. It may be offensive both to men (because of the Mädchen) and women (because of the für alles).