cleaner-upper

English

Etymology

From clean up +‎ -er. Compare Australian slang cleaner-upperer.

Noun

cleaner-upper (plural cleaner-uppers)

1. (informal) A person responsible for cleaning or tidying up.

   Synonym: cleaner-upperer

   • 1992, Studies in American Drama, 1945-present - Volumes 7-8, page 86:

     I want to know how you became a cleaner-upper! A custodian of man's material junk!

   • 1996, H. Olivia Kittrell, The Nanny World: Heaven Or H---? : a Nanny Agency's Perception, page 11:

     If we were to consider the role of a parent who is totally responsible during the day for children of varying ages, with no assistance, the job description would read in part: Diaper changer, bottle feeder, bottle washer, rocker, laundress, clothes putter-upper, ironer, dishwasher, meal-planner and cook, grocery shopper, hugger, plaground mate, track star, safety oordinator, sympathizer, story reader, clown, nurse, checker player, artist, tutor, rule maker, disciplinarian, supporter and encourager, teacher, activities chairman, religious educator, car pooler, cheerleader at games, cookie maker, party planner, seamstress, clothes shopper, librarian, transportation director to the doctor, school, soccer, museum, or park, mess cleaner-upper, mediator, friend supervisor, bathroom supervisor, bath supervisor, toothbrush director, medicine giver, manners chairman and reminder, schedule maker, TV critic, pet feeder, taker of pets to vet, judge, arbitrator, role model, gardener, and toilet trainer.

   • 2011, Juliet Schor, Douglas B. Holt, The Consumer Society Reader, page 32:

     This professionalization is a psychological defense of the housewife against being a general “cleaner-upper” and menial servant for her family in a day and age of general work emancipation.