Etymology
The term "rat race" is derived from the common expression "rats in a maze." In this analogy, the rats are people and the maze represents the complexities and challenges of modern life. The phrase implies that people are constantly striving for success and material possessions, often at the expense of their own well-being.
Meaning
The rat race refers to the relentless, competitive, and often stressful pursuit of wealth, status, and power in society. It is a metaphor for the constant struggle to keep up with the demands of modern life, which can lead to feelings of anxiety, burnout, and a lack of purpose.
Origin
The earliest known use of the term "rat race" appeared in the 1904 novel "The City of Dreadful Night" by James Thompson. However, the term gained widespread popularity after it was used in the 1955 novel "The Prize" by Irving Wallace. In Wallace's novel, the protagonist, Karl Anderson, endures the intense competition and sacrifices of the academic world, which he refers to as a "rat race."
Over time, the term "rat race" has become synonymous with the culture of excessive ambition, materialism, and constant striving that characterizes modern Western society. It has been used in numerous books, movies, and other works of popular culture to illustrate the downsides of the relentless pursuit of success.
