the.com/superintendent
The person blamed for the heat, the leak, and your childhood building's one broken elevator.
means The person responsible for managing and maintaining a building, institution, or operation — handling repairs, staff, or overall supervision.
from From Latin super (over, above) plus intendere (to direct one's attention, to stretch toward) — the same root that gives us 'intend.' A superintendent is literally one who 'attends over' things from above, watching the whole operation. The word entered English in church and civic contexts before sliding down into basements and boiler rooms.
- etymology
- Latin for one who watches over
- nyc lore
- often lives rent-free in the basement
- skills
- plumber, electrician, and therapist combined
- schools
- also runs entire districts, not just boilers