Definition of the word waitstaff

The term "waitstaff" is commonly used to refer to the people who serve food and drinks to customers in a restaurant or dining establishment. The origin of this word can be traced back to the medieval period, when the terms "wait" and "staff" independently referred to distinct roles within a household. "Wait" originally meant to "remain" or "abide" and was often applied to individuals who stood by or assisted others in performing certain tasks. In the context of the table, "wait" came to describe an attendant who would bring food and drink to the guests when they signaled their requests. As the role of such attendants became more established, they were formally referred to as "waiters." "Staff," on the other hand, held a different connotation initially. The word "staff" originally denoted a long, wooden stick or rod, typically carried by an individual to assist with various tasks. Over time, a more specific usage of "staff" emerged in a domestic setting, where it referred to the manager or head of a household's personal retinue. The coalescence of these two distinct terms to form "waitstaff" is likely a product of the modern restaurant industry. The term has become popular because it encompasses a role that is multifaceted - at once serving food, making recommendations to customers, and standing by to fulfill any additional requests - much like how the same individual could simultaneously function as a "waiter" and the "staff" of the house. In summary, while the word "waitstaff" presents a contemporary definition, its usage can be traced back to the intersection of two independent historical meanings, which today jointly represent the role of individuals responsible for managing the service of food and drinks to customers in restaurants and dining establishments.