![]() ![]() Work is less boring than amusing oneself. Work in progress is from 1930 in a general sense, earlier as a specific term in accountancy and parliamentary procedure. To have (one's) work cut out for one is from 1610s to have it prepared and prescribed, hence, to have all one can handle. Proverbial expression many hands make light work is from c. 1300 to make short work of is from 1640s. To be out of work "unemployed" is from 1590s. Work of art attested by 1774 as "artistic creation," earlier (1728) "artifice, production of humans (as opposed to nature)." Work ethic recorded from 1959. The meaning "embroidery, stitchery, needlepoint" is from late 14c. The sense of "labor as a measurable commodity" is from c. 1200 the meaning "artistic labor" or its productions is from c. ![]() 1200 that of "scholarly labor" or its productions is from c. The meaning "physical effort, exertion" is from c. Old English weorc, worc "something done, discrete act performed by someone, action (whether voluntary or required), proceeding, business that which is made or manufactured, products of labor," also "physical labor, toil skilled trade, craft, or occupation opportunity of expending labor in some useful or remunerative way " also "military fortification." This is from Proto-Germanic *werka- "work" (source also of Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Dutch werk, Old Norse verk, Middle Dutch warc, Old High German werah, German Werk, Gothic gawaurki), from PIE *werg-o-, a suffixed form of the root *werg- "to do." ![]()
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