work like a dog
work like a dog (simile)
/ˌwɜːk laɪk ə dɔɡ/
Meanings
- To work extremely hard, often for long hours and without complaining.
- To do hard, menial, or tiring work.
- To perform tasks in a relentless and exhausting manner.
Synonyms: toil; labor; grind; slave away; work hard.
Example Sentences
- Mike had to work like a dog to finish the project before the deadline, staying late every night.
- The farmhands worked like dogs from morning to evening, harvesting all the crops by sunset.
- The construction workers worked like dogs, facing tough weather and heavy loads every single day.
Origin and History
The idiom “work like a dog” denotes intense, laborious effort, often implying toil without adequate reward. Its etymology stems from the historical view of dogs as industrious animals, particularly in roles like herding, hunting, or farming, where they exhibited tireless dedication. One theory attributes the phrase to working dogs, such as sheepdogs or sled dogs, known for their relentless task endurance, reflecting a cultural link between canines and hard labor. Another perspective points to turnspit dogs, a now-extinct breed used in pre-industrial kitchens to rotate meat spits via treadmill-like devices, symbolizing grueling, undervalued work. These theories highlight a broader English linguistic pattern where dogs appear in expressions connoting hardship, such as “a dog’s life” or “die like a dog,” revealing a historical ambivalence toward the animal despite its utility. In modern usage, the idiom carries irony, as contemporary pet dogs are often seen as leisurely, contrasting with their working ancestors.
Historical Development
The history of “work like a dog” reflects evolving societal perspectives on labor and animal roles within English-speaking cultures. Emerging in the 17th century, the phrase aligned with an era when dogs were essential to agricultural and domestic economies, embodying endurance and obedience. It gained prominence in literature and colloquial speech, appearing in works addressing themes of exploitation and perseverance, such as servitude or relentless professional demands. By the 19th and 20th centuries, the idiom had permeated popular culture, including songs like The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night,” where it evokes modern work exhaustion. Its persistence illustrates a shift from literal to metaphorical use, adapting to contexts like corporate overwork or personal ambition while retaining its core meaning of strenuous effort. The phrase parallels other animal-based idioms, encapsulating cultural attitudes toward productivity and hierarchy.
Country of Origin
The idiom “work like a dog” originated in England. Rooted in Anglo-Saxon linguistic traditions, it aligns with the historical prominence of working dogs in British rural and industrial settings, such as sheep herding or urban household tasks. Its debut in English literature during the mid-17th century, published in London, confirms England’s role as the point of origin, from where it spread to other English-speaking regions like the United States and Australia. While similar idioms exist in other languages, such as “work like a donkey” in Spanish or “work like an ox” in French, the specific canine reference is distinctly English, shaped by local cultural and economic practices.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest documented use of “work like a dog” appears in a 1666 English translation of a historical account. The work, The History of Algiers and It’s Slavery with Many Remarkable Particularities of Africk, was authored by Emanuel d’Aranda and translated by John Davies. Published in London in 1666, the phrase occurs in a dialogue where a character, Dom Francisco de Mascarenhas, states:
“To what end should a man have mony? to work like a dog, or to procure his liberty?”
This quotation, set in the context of captivity and redemption, uses the idiom to contrast futile labor with the pursuit of freedom, highlighting its early semantic depth.
Variants
- work one’s fingers to the bone
- work one’s tail off
- slave away
- toil away
- labor hard
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