Houseboy


A houseboy is typically a male domestic worker or personal assistant who performs cleaning and personal chores. The term has history within British colonialism, military contexts, and the gay male community.

British Empire

Historically, houseboy was a British Empire term for a male housecleaner. He was usually, but not always, an native person who worked for a British family living in the colony. A female housecleaner was called a housegirl. Both sexes often were required to wear a uniform.

Military

Houseboy was also used as an American slang term originating in World War II for a native boy who helped a soldier perform basic responsibilities like cleaning, laundry, ironing, shoe-shining, running errands, and the like. The British English term for this occupation was Batman.

Gay culture

A houseboy in gay male culture is a young man who performs domestic work, where the employment normally has an erotic, not necessarily sexual, aspect.

Cultural references

The houseboy became a plot device or stock character in literature and film.