Famulus Means an Assistant to a Sorcerer or Scholar

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 Means an Assistant to a Sorcerer or Scholar”

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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