The literal meaning of the French noun chauffeur (from the verb chauffer, which means to heat) is one that heats. In the early days of automobiles, French-speakers extended the word to those who drove the horseless carriage, and eventually developed an extended meaning specifically for someone hired to drive. A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a motorized passenger vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle, such as a large sedan or limousine. Before the arrival of the Rolls, the 'chauffeurs' were men covered in soot who put coal in steam engines.
Luxurious, eh? Therefore, the noun chauffeur (Latin calêre to be warm, and French chauffer, “to heat”) means “one who warms”, guess where the English word “chafe” derives its roots from. Do you feel me? And in every black car there is a professional driver, at my entire disposal, to take me wherever I want, for a price. In some countries, particularly in developing countries, where a rapid supply of labor ensures that even the middle classes can afford domestic staff and, among the rich, the driver can simply be called the driver.
