The word "Au Pair" is a French term, which means "on par" or "equal to", denoting living on an equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship between the host family and the children. An aupair will typically be a young woman and sometimes a young man from a foreign country who chooses to help look after the children of a host family and provide light housekeeping. The aupair is given room and board and is typically paid a weekly "pocket-money" salary. Aupairs generally stay with their host family for one year.
I spent a year in England as an au pair.
by epical May 5, 2006
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Au pairing is living with a foreign family, taking care of the children while the parents are working.
Here the differences as to normal au-pairs: more responsability, clearly defined working hours, social benefits as holidays etc., greater separation of work and private life and more independence as nannies often do not live with the family, higher wages.
by Julia May 15, 2003
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The cheapest nanny in USA. Duties: taking care of kids and pets, cleaning, cooking. Working for 4$\h in the name on cultural experience. Ripped off by host family.
Host mother: Our Au pair should take the dog out.
Host father: Just tell her she's a member of the family. She will be more eager to do it.

Host mother: Buying food for Au pair will be expensive.
Host father: Oh... she should buy it herself. We will give her leftovers.

Host mother: It will be 200$ for hotel for a dog while we will be on vacation with kids.
Host father: Au pair will be taking care of the dog. She's not going with us anyways.
by Aroundandaround November 10, 2018
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The cheapest child care option on the market. Cheap nanny. Servitude type of work. Deffinitely not a cultural experience. Bad business. Au pair is often abused by host family: overhours, lack of food, withold stipend, taking care of pet, insults, offensive remarks. Everything behind closed doors. Agencies require calling Au pair member of the family/friend because in this way its easy to manipulate participant. Currently program with lawsuit. Very double side faced program.
A:I want my Au pair to take the dog out.
B: Just tell her she's the member of the family. She will be eager to do it.
by Aroundandaround November 28, 2018
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An au pair-a-legal is an underpaid, underappreciated non-JD'd firm worker who has to coddle some punk summer associate who don't know his Westlaw from his Lexis. The au pair-a-legal must do research, filing, and coffeeing while the punk noshes on delicious lunches day-in and day-out. Often a young female native to a foreign country or otherwise otherly occupied land mass.
Most of the staff in Washington, D.C. law firms between May 15 and August 20 every year are au pair-a-legals.
by Hoos 4 a B Curve May 5, 2006
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An au pair-a-legal is an underpaid, underappreciated non-JD'd firm worker who has to coddle some punk summer associate who don't know his Westlaw from his Lexis. The au pair-a-legal must do research, filing, and coffeeing while the punk noshes on delicious lunches day-in and day-out. Often a young female native to a foreign country or otherwise otherly occupied land mass.
Most of the staff in Washington, D.C. law firms between May 15 and August 20 every year are au pair-a-legals.
by Hoos 4 a B Curve May 5, 2006
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