noun
janitor; caretaker; custodian; handyman (slighting)
Obsolete term for a school or office janitor/caretaker; sometimes used slightingly. Modern equivalent is 用務員.
See also: 用務員
昔の学校では、小使いさんがストーブの世話をしていた。
In old schools, the caretaker looked after the stove.
「小
Nowadays, 小使い is rarely used; 用務員 is used instead.
Modern, neutral term for a school/office janitor or caretaker; replaces the obsolete 小使い.
Compound of 小 (small, petty) and 使い (errand person, messenger); originally referred to a low-ranking servant doing odd jobs.