Plural of charwoman; female cleaning workers, especially those hired to do cleaning jobs in offices, schools, or large buildings.
From char meaning 'to do chores' or 'to work' (from Old English cerran) combined with woman. Charwoman emerged in the 16th century to describe women hired for cleaning and domestic labor work.
The word 'charwoman' reveals a historical reality—many women's labor, though essential to keeping institutions running, was historically underpaid and undervalued, yet they maintained the very buildings society depended on.
Plural of charwoman; reinforces the gendered occupational categorization of cleaning labor as 'women's work,' a classification that perpetuated wage inequality and social devaluation through the 20th century.
Use 'cleaners' or 'cleaning workers' instead. Avoid gendered occupational terminology.
["cleaners","cleaning workers"]
Women cleaners have been at the forefront of labor organizing, with movements like the Justice for Janitors campaign centering immigrant women's leadership and demands for dignity.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.