chimney sweeper:
(also ‘chimney sweep’; plural: ‘chimney sweepers‘; pronunciation: the letters ‘ch’ rhyme with the letters ‘ch’ in “church”)
{old usage} a person whose job is to clean soot from the inside of chimneys,
a chimney sweeper at work
In the past every building used to have at least one chimney and chimney sweepers, usually young boys and girls from the poorer section of the society, found work easily.
Though the work was hard and dirty, chimney sweepers were paid very little, probably twopence, and most of the young chimney sweepers got even less after paying their mastersweeps for their apprentice and boarding.
The modern day chimney sweepers use advanced technology, such as high-powered vacuum cleaners and brushes and safety clothing to protect themselves from the soot, and, of course, are paid handsomely.
