scut work

noun

: routine and often menial labor

Examples of scut work in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Volunteer for the scut work. Andy Kessler, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2022 As head manager for the University of Michigan men’s basketball team, Jason Lansing has spent four years doing scut work — mopping up floors, unloading equipment and showing up for early morning rebounding duty. Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, 1 Apr. 2021 Among part-time workers, women pick up even more of the scut work — 6.8 hours of unpaid labor per day versus 2.8 hours for men. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2020 The show’s pilot centered on whether the hospital should even hire Murphy, given that fact; even after the board ultimately voted to bring him on, Murphy’s first day as a surgical resident mostly entailed doing other residents’ scut work. Laura Bradley, vanityfair.com, 18 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scut work.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from medical argot scut junior intern

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scut work was circa 1962

Dictionary Entries Near scut work

Cite this Entry

“Scut work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scut%20work. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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