Lead was traditionally used in Roman plumbing and gave plumbers their name. The Latin word plumbum meant lead, and Roman water systems used lead pipes and fittings extensively. The occupational word plumber developed from this Latin root.
Lead was attractive for plumbing because it is relatively soft, easy to shape, and resistant to some forms of corrosion. Roman engineers also used it for weights, writing tablets, roofing, and other objects. Archaeological evidence shows that plumbing practices varied by location and period, and not every Roman water system relied equally on lead.
Modern knowledge makes clear that lead exposure is hazardous, especially for children. Many countries have therefore restricted or replaced lead plumbing components. The linguistic connection remains, however: “plumber” preserves the history of a craft once closely associated with the metal lead.