Drudge Meaning and Definition
Drudge
Pronunciation
/ˈdrʌdʒ/
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Definition
A drudge is a person who performs dull, tedious, or exhausting work, often in a menial or unskilled capacity. It can also refer to a task or activity that is unpleasant, laborious, or requires a great deal of effort.
Examples
1. “She felt like a drudge, stuck in a dead-end job with no chance of promotion.”
2. “The drudgery of cleaning the entire house by herself was overwhelming.”
Synonyms
1. Servant
2. Slave
3. Laborer
Antonyms
1. Master
2. Slaveholder
3. Supervisor
Additional Information
The term “drudge” has been in use since the 14th century, and it is believed to have originated from the Old English word “drudgian,” which means “to drudge” or “to serve.” Throughout history, drudges have been associated with hard labor, servitude, and menial work.
In modern times, the term “drudge” is often used to describe tasks or activities that are tedious, boring, or require a lot of effort. For example, someone might say, “I have to drudge through this paperwork all day.” In this context, the word is used to convey a sense of frustration, boredom, or exhaustion.
Interestingly, the word “drudge” has also been used in popular culture to describe fictional characters who are forced to perform hard labor or menial tasks. For example, in the Harry Potter series, the character of Dobby is often referred to as a “drudge” because of his history of being forced to work as a slave.
Etymology
The word “drudge” has its roots in the Old English word “drudgian,” which means “to drudge” or “to serve.” This word is believed to have been derived from the Proto-Germanic word “druzjan,” which is also the source of the Modern German word “trudeln,” meaning “to toil” or “to drudge.”
Usage Notes
The word “drudge” can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a person who performs dull, tedious, or exhausting work. As a verb, it means to perform hard labor or menial tasks.
When using the word “drudge” in a sentence, it’s essential to consider the context and the tone you want to convey. For example, saying “I’m a drudge” might imply that you feel like you’re doing menial work or that you’re overwhelmed with tasks. On the other hand, saying “She’s a drudge” might imply that someone else is doing the hard work.
Cultural References
The word “drudge” has appeared in various forms of popular culture, including literature, film, and television. For example, in the Harry Potter series, the character of Dobby is referred to as a “drudge” because of his history of being forced to work as a slave.
In film, the word “drudge” has been used to describe characters who are forced to perform hard labor or menial tasks. For example, in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” the character of Andy Dufresne is referred to as a “drudge” because of his prisoner status and the hard labor he is forced to perform.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
1. “Drudge work” – refers to tasks or activities that are tedious, boring, or require a lot of effort.
2. “Drudging along” – means to continue doing something tedious or boring, often with a sense of resignation or frustration.
Collocations
1. “Drudge through” – means to continue doing something tedious or boring, often with a sense of resignation or frustration.
2. “Drudge along” – means to continue doing something tedious or boring, often with a sense of resignation or frustration.
Frequency of Use
The word “drudge” is not commonly used in modern language, but it can be found in various forms of writing, including literature, poetry, and journalism.
Common Misspellings
1. “Drudg” – a common misspelling of the word “drudge.”
2. “Drudgery” – a related word that refers to hard labor or menial work, often confused with the word “drudge.”