scutwork

Or scut work

[skuht-wurk]

noun

Informal.

1. menial, routine work, as that done by an underling.

   the scutwork of scrubbing pots and pans.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scutwork¹

1960–65; scut (< ?) + work

Example Sentences

Writers who have experimented with AI have speculated that it could be helpful, if not in coming up with original ideas, maybe at least in sparking a few, and doing away with the drudgery of coming up with “loglines” and “beat sheets,” Hollywood-ese for scutwork.

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Staring at pickled spiders through a microscope might seem like scutwork, but it’s a delight for arachnologists.

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Too many seem personally affronted by the kinds of scutwork and drudgery that were just called “life” when I was coming up.

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His duties must eventually have included more than mere scutwork.

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Then, a decade ago, I moved home and started to dwell on my own complicity each time relatives, friends, acquaintances and strangers casually slid into the same language I’d heard as a kid: “Ese trabajo es de negro,” equating scutwork to black work.

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Related Words

• assignment 
• burden 
• duty 
• errand 
• housework 
• routine 
• workout