Elbow grease explained

Elbow grease is an idiom for manual labour and/or the process of working hard to accomplish an objective.^[1]

The earliest evidence of the phrase in print was in 1672.^[2] Andrew Marvell, an English metaphysical poet, used the words in a satirical book about English parliament. Marvell wrote: "Two or three brawny Fellows in a Corner, with mere Ink and Elbow-grease, do more Harm than an Hundred systematical Divines with their sweaty Preaching."^[3]

Further uses are attested in the 1670s.^[4] In 1699, the phrase appeared in the New Dictionary of the Canting Crew defined as "a derisory Term for Sweat".^[5]

See also

• English-language idioms
• List of practical joke topics

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2024-09-29 . Definition of ELBOW GREASE . 2024-10-07 . www.merriam-webster.com . en.
2. Web site: elbow grease, n. meanings, etymology, and more Oxford English Dictionary .
3. Rahe . Paul A. . 2002 . An Inky Wretch: The Outrageous Genius of Marchamont Nedham . The National Interest . 70 . 55–64 . 42897442 . 0884-9382.
4. Web site: elbow Etymology of elbow by etymonline . 2024-10-07 . www.etymonline.com . en.
5. Book: B. E. . A new dictionary of the terms ancient and modern of the canting crew, in its several tribes of Gypsies, beggers, thieves, cheats, &c. with an addition of some proverbs, phrases, figurative speeches, &c. . 1899 . Smith, Kay & co. . London . 61 .