journeywork

[ jur-nee-wurk ]

noun

1. the work of a journeyman.
2. necessary, routine, or servile work.

journeywork

/ ˈdʒɜːnɪˌwɜːk /

noun

1. necessary, routine, and menial work
2. the work of a journeyman

Word History and Origins

Origin of journeywork¹

1595–1605; journey a day's work (obsolete) + work

Example Sentences

Surveying New York City’s Fresh Kills dump, he shows how the journeywork of red maples and mulberries returns our detritus to nature and offers a metaphor for hope in a changing world.

From Nature

If they could get into regular journeywork there a'n't one man as wouldn't prefer it—it would pay them a deal better.

From Project Gutenberg

He performed journeywork in a shop, which, unfortunately for him, was situated near the water, and at a small distance from the scene of original infection.

From Project Gutenberg

We dare say, if there did happen to exist a portion of the country in which the mechanics were all "bosses," it would strike those who dwelt in such a state of society, that it would be singularly improper and anti-republican for any man to undertake journeywork.

From Project Gutenberg

Here is not the swift impatient journeywork of a rough and ready hand; here is no sign of such compulsory hurry in the discharge of a task something less than welcome, if not of an imposition something less than tolerable, as we may rationally believe ourselves able to trace in great part of Marlowe’s work: in the latter half of The Jew of Malta, in the burlesque interludes of Doctor Faustus, and wellnigh throughout the whole scheme and course of The Massacre at Paris. 

From Project Gutenberg