galley slave

noun

1. a person condemned to work at an oar on a galley.
2. a drudge.

galley slave

noun

1. a criminal or slave condemned to row in a galley
2. informal.
   a drudge

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley slave¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Of course, Demi tyrannized over Daisy, and gallantly defended her from every other aggressor, while Daisy made a galley slave of herself, and adored her brother as the one perfect being in the world.

From Literature

“And it was also sort of shameful, because the people who were doing the extra work were the former silent stars, many of them that I knew, who were adults, and for them it was a very crushing blow. I thought of it as being a galley slave.”

From New York Times

In order that nothing would be lacking in splendor she worked like a galley slave as the repairs were under way, so that before they were finished she had ordered costly necessities for the decorations, the table service, and the marvelous invention that was to arouse the astonishment of the town and the jubilation of the young people: the pianola.

From Literature

The evil is industrialized labor itself—an entire existence spent like a galley slave pulling an oar.

From The New Yorker

Somaine became a galley slave due to a 1713 order by King Louis XIV to leave the country because of his religion.

From Washington Times