factotum

Factotum is a noun that denotes a person who performs many different kinds of work; a general-purpose helper or handyman. The term emphasizes versatility and breadth of duties rather than expertise in a single trade. It originates from the Latin fac totum, meaning "do everything," and entered English in the early modern period. Historically, a factotum might be a household servant empowered to manage multiple tasks, run errands, and coordinate various chores for an employer.

Today, factotum can describe an individual employed to juggle a range of roles within an organization, often in support, administrative, or operations functions. The word can carry connotations of adaptability and overextension, depending on context.

In literature and film, the term is most famously associated with Charles Bukowski's 1975 novel Factotum, which follows a drifter who takes on a sequence of temporary jobs. The work is often read as a meditation on survival and the margins of American life. A 2005 film adaptation directed by Bent Hamer and starring Matt Dillon transposes the novel to the screen.