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sank work. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
sank work, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
sank work in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
sank work you have here. The definition of the word
sank work will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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English
Etymology
Perhaps from the Old French sanc (“blood”), in allusion either to combat or to soldiers' red coats.
Noun
sank work (uncountable)
- (UK, historical) Work done by tailors on soldiers' clothes.
2002, John Burnett, Idle Hands: The Experience of Unemployment, 1790-1990, page 84:[…] even some of the 'honourable' men were reduced to this sweated 'sank work' for as little as 4s. to 6s. a week.
2017, Darlene A. Cypser, The Consulting Detective Trilogy Part II: On Stage, page 48:Many master tailors keep more hands than they have employment for, especially in the slack. But no work means no pay. Some of those journeymen can't pay their bills and take home 'sank work' of custom-house and post clothing.
References
- John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary