noun
door-to-door rounds of tradesmen
Refers to the practice of tradesmen visiting homes to take orders or offer services. Often used in historical or traditional contexts.
昔は御用聞きが毎日のように来ていた。
In the old days, door-to-door tradesmen used to come almost every day.
酒屋の御用聞きが注文を取りに来た。
The liquor store's order taker came to take orders.
noun
thief taker; secret policeman (historical)
Historical term for a low-ranking Edo-period police officer who investigated crimes and made arrests. Cross-referenced with 岡っ引き.
See also: 岡っ引き
御用聞きは岡っ引きとも呼ばれ、江戸の町で犯罪者を捕まえた。
The thief taker, also called okappiki, caught criminals in Edo towns.
Synonym for the historical police officer sense; 御用聞き is a more formal term.
Compound of 御用 (go-yō, 'official business' or 'order') and 聞き (kiki, 'listening' or 'asking'). The historical police sense derives from the idea of 'hearing official matters'.