A plumber is a person whose job is to install and repair pipes, toilets, sinks, and other systems that carry water and waste in buildings. They help keep bathrooms, kitchens, and heating systems working properly.
From Old French *plommier* “worker in lead,” from Latin *plumbārius*, from *plumbum* “lead.” Pipes were once commonly made of lead, so the name stuck even after the materials changed.
The silent *b* in *plumber* is a fossil from the days when plumbers literally worked with lead (*plumbum*). Every time you say *plumber*, you’re echoing ancient Roman chemistry without realizing it.
'Plumber' has traditionally been associated with male workers due to gendered vocational training and labor segregation. Stereotypes about 'the plumber' in media and jokes often default to a man.
Use 'plumber' for people of any gender and avoid assuming a plumber is male in examples or stories; if gender is irrelevant, do not specify it. When discussing the trade, acknowledge efforts to diversify the workforce.
["plumbing professional","plumbing worker"]
Recognize women and gender-diverse plumbers who have entered and succeeded in a historically male-dominated trade, challenging stereotypes about who does skilled manual work.
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