hackwork

[ hak-wurk ]

noun

1. writing, painting, or any professional work done for hire and usually following a formula rather than being motivated by any creative impulse.

hackwork

/ ˈhækˌwɜːk /

noun

1. undistinguished literary work produced to order

Word History and Origins

Origin of hackwork¹

First recorded in 1850–55; hack ² + work

Example Sentences

But much of his labour was heavy hackwork of a very uninteresting character.

From Project Gutenberg

Care would be necessary to prevent the assignment to them of mere routine hackwork without training value.

From Project Gutenberg

He had in effect emancipated himself from hackwork, and could turn his attention to more congenial and ambitious labour.

From Project Gutenberg

But much of the labor done was mere hackwork of a very uninteresting character.

From Project Gutenberg

For two years he did literary hackwork, when he could get it, and wrote pastorals, epics and all manner of ambitious failures.

From Project Gutenberg