au pair
Definition
A young person, usually from abroad, who lives with a host family and provides childcare or light housework in exchange for room, board, a small stipend, and often the opportunity to learn the local language and culture.
Originally a French term meaning 'on equal terms,' referring to an equitable exchange of services without a traditional employer-employee relationship.
Examples
After realizing their toddler's tantrums needed subtitles, the Millers hired an au pair from Sweden who turned chaos into hygge.
The au pair's cooking lessons backfired spectacularly when the kids mistook kimchi for finger paint.
Thanks to our au pair, the family dog now fetches in three languages, but still ignores 'sit.'
She arrived as an au pair and left as the unofficial family therapist, armed with memes and maternal wisdom.