What is a charwoman?

A charwoman is a woman employed to do housework or cleaning. The term is often used to refer to a woman who cleans offices or other commercial premises. Charwomen typically perform tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and washing windows.

The term "charwoman" is derived from the Old English word "cerwo", which means "turn". This refers to the fact that charwomen often had to turn or twist their bodies in order to reach all the nooks and crannies when cleaning.

Charwomen have been a part of the British workforce for centuries. In the 19th century, they were often employed by middle-class families to clean their homes. However, the number of charwomen declined in the 20th century as more women began to work outside the home.

Today, charwomen are still employed by some households and businesses. However, they are more likely to be employed by cleaning companies than by individual households.