Re:Footmen clean houses?
Footmen started in ancient rome--where superstition had it to be bad luck to cross the threshold with your left foot...
(i think the superstition persisted, since we still have the expressions--starting off on the right foot and Putting your best foot forward and others)
the rich had servants (slaves)who opened the door for guests, and watched there feet..
when not doing that, i am sure they found other work for them to do. but the term footman remained-- and in Upstairs, Downstairs, one of the things the footman did was open the door, and usher guests into the house...
Re:ARE there men who clean buildings for a living?
maintenance..(men) are usually considered more skilled.. and are paid slightly higher wages.. it still very sexist. most maids/ and maintenance men are paid very low wages...by the time the maid have enough english and knowledge to know that they could be getting more as maintenance men, they have enough skills to move onto jobs that pay better -- the lowest level of maintenance man is a porter--who is often required to sweep and mop in public areas.
some will say that maintenance men do heavier work, but they obviously are the same people who have never turn a matress.. something maids are expected to do. (sometimes in pairs.. but who cares, turn a matress is heavy work.)
