The Spanish word 'fontanero' (meaning 'plumber') has an interesting connection to water sources in its Latin origins. It comes from the Latin word 'fontanarius' meaning 'fountain worker', which itself was derived from 'fontana' meaning 'fountain'. Going further back, 'fontana' came from the Latin adjective 'fontanus' meaning 'of a spring or fountain', which ultimately stems from the Latin noun 'fons' meaning 'spring' or 'fountain'.

The semantic evolution from 'fountain worker' to 'plumber' makes intuitive sense, as both professions deal with controlling and maintaining water flow systems. While ancient fountain workers would maintain public water features, modern plumbers maintain the complex water systems in our buildings.

Several common Spanish words share this watery etymology with 'fontanero'. The word 'fuente' (meaning 'fountain' or 'source') comes from the same Latin root 'fons'. You might also recognize 'fontana', which is still used in Spanish to mean 'fountain', though it's less common than 'fuente'.

English speakers might recognize this etymology in words like 'fountain', 'font' (in the sense of a baptismal font), and even 'fount' as in 'fount of knowledge' - all of which come from the same Latin root 'fons'. The word 'font' in typography (meaning a set of type in a particular style) actually has the same origin, as it originally referred to a complete set of type pieces cast from the same source or 'fountain' of metal.