buttle

English

Etymology

Back-formation from butler.

Verb

buttle (third-person singular simple present buttles, present participle buttling, simple past and past participle buttled)

1. To serve as or perform the duties of a butler.

Usage notes

• Because of its origins in back-formation, buttle is considered nonstandard and its uses may often be humorous in nature.

References

• 1909: J. T. Grein, Sunday Times

  ...even the stoic and impeccable maid of Miss Ethelwyn Arthur-Jones, who 'buttled' as well as the most time-honoured butler.

• 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter XV:

  [...] it was Sir Roderick Glossop who suggested it. By the way, you were probably surprised to find him buttling here.

• 1963, P. G. Wodehouse, Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, chapter I:

  Jeeves, of course, is a gentleman's gentleman, not a butler, but if the call comes, he can buttle with the best of them.

• 1989: Benjamin Quarles, The Negro in the Civil War

  Houses where Negroes buttled or cooked were marked for a visit.

• 2000: Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum

  At times like this, he buttled when Spriggan the butler was not on duty, or if an extra hand was needed, he footed as well.