The little-used word famulus means assistant, and originally referred to the assistant of a sorcerer or scholar. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Famulus”
The other day looking through the dictionary I tripped over the word Famulus. F-A-M-U-L-U-S. Do you know this term?
No. Does it have something to do with family?
It does. It’s distantly related to the idea of family. It originates in the idea of a servant or an assistant, and it’s been used historically to refer to a servant or an assistant to a sorcerer or a magician.
I thought that maybe it was in the Harry Potter series.
I haven’t read the whole thing.
I don’t think I’ve seen it there, no.
But Famulus, somebody who helps you do things that are magical.
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