A scullery maid is a female servant who works in a kitchen, performing menial tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning pots and pans, and sweeping the floor. There are several synonyms for the term, including kitchen maid, kitchen girl, scullion, pot boy, dish washer, and cleaner. These terms were commonly used in large households and estates where there was a need for a hierarchy of servants to carry out different tasks. However, in contemporary times, such positions are no longer as predominant, as many modern households tend to have automated systems for washing dishes and cleaning up after meals.