Aguador

/ˌɑːɡwəˈdɔːr/ noun

Definition

A water carrier or seller, especially someone who historically delivered water to households before modern plumbing.

Etymology

From Spanish 'agua' (water) plus -dor (one who does), describing a common occupation in pre-industrial Spanish and Latin American cities.

Kelly Says

Aguadores were essential workers in cities like Madrid and Mexico City—paintings by Goya and other artists immortalized them carrying water through streets, representing a now-vanished profession that only disappeared with modern pipes and pumps.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Spanish occupational term specifically masculine (aguador = water carrier, male). Feminine form 'aguadora' exists but was rarely used historically, reflecting gendered labor divisions where water-carrying was coded as men's work.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'aguador/aguadora' or 'persona que acarrea agua' (water-carrying person) to include all genders.

Inclusive Alternatives

["acarreador/a de agua","persona que acarrea agua"]

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