hackwork

American  

[hak-wurk] / ˈhækˌwɜrk /

noun

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

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hackwork British  

/ ˈhækˌwɜːk /

noun

1. undistinguished literary work produced to order

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Etymology

Origin of hackwork

First recorded in 1850–55; hack ² + work

Example Sentences

The play being performed will come to be known as "Romeo and Juliet" once Will, infused with love and longing, chucks the idea of "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter," choosing art over contrived hackwork.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2018

This is largely how today’s culture has chosen to remember Welles: as a pompous wreck, a man who peaked early and then devolved into hackwork and bloated fiascos.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 7, 2015

The Pat Hobby stories lack Fitzgerald’s characteristic lyricism, and perhaps for that might be read as mercenary or hackwork; but what they lack in beauty, they make up for in wit and pathos.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2013

It’s uninspired hackwork, and the frequent appearance of blue lens flares does not make this movie any more of a personal statement.

From New York Times • May 15, 2013

During the first several years in Philadelphia, he was reporter of the Congressional debates for the Philadelphia Gazette and did some editorial hackwork.

From Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from his Works by Anonymous