Etymology and Spelling
Valet came to English from French and can be correctly pronounced anglicized as VAL-ut, or in the French manner as VAL-ay or val-AY. In the 1500s and 1600s, the noun valet was sometimes spelled “vallett” or “valett”. This suggested the French pronunciation was Anglicized, with an audible “t” sound. The word shares a Latin origin with the French word filet.
Definition and Usage
A valet is a gentleman’s male servant, while the closest female equivalent is a lady’s maid. Historically, a valet was a young man of noble birth serving a lord and then more generally meant "servant", synonymous with manservant. Today, valet can also refer to a rack for holding clothing or an employee who performs personal services. The difference between a butler and a valet is that a butler manages the household, while a valet attends to a single man.
Pronunciation Across Regions
Americans usually use a glottal stop instead of pronouncing the ‘t’. Britons do not pronounce the ‘t’ in valet because it is a French loan word adopted in the 16th century. Valet is pronounced with a T by posh Britons. In US English, the verb form may be pronounced as “Val-ett.” French speakers often use French pronunciations for French words used in English.
Valet Services
Valet services include parking cars and caring for clothes. The first OED example of valet service is from 1939. In the UK, a valet is uncommon and tipping is unnecessary. How to spell valet parking is with a small ‘v’.