sweatshop etymology

Etymology

The word "sweatshop" is a combination of two words:

  • Sweat: This refers to the physical exertion and hard work that is typically associated with these establishments.
  • Shop: This term originally referred to a small workshop or workplace.

Meaning

A sweatshop is a factory or workshop, often located in a developing country, that is characterized by the following conditions:

  • Substandard working conditions: This includes poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, and unsafe machinery.
  • Long hours and low wages: Workers are forced to work for excessively long hours, often for wages that are below the minimum wage.
  • Exploitation of labor: Workers are often subjected to unfair labor practices, such as forced overtime, child labor, and discrimination.
  • Poor sanitation and health hazards: The working environment is often unhygienic and poses significant health risks to the workers.

Origin

The term "sweatshop" first emerged in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution. It was initially used to describe textile factories in Britain, where workers faced harsh working conditions and low wages.

However, the term has since been applied to similar workplaces in many other industries and countries, particularly in the developing world. Sweatshops have become increasingly common in recent decades due to globalization and the outsourcing of manufacturing to low-wage countries.

sweatshop relate terms

  • shop

    Etymology The word shop originates from the Old English term scopp which means she

  • sweat

    Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

  • sweat

    Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

  • sweating

    Etymology Middle English sweten from Old English swātan of Germanic origin related

  • sweater

    Etymology The word sweater is derived from the verb to sweat Meaning A sweater i

  • sweat

    Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

  • sweatshop

    Etymology The word sweatshop is a combination of two words Sweat This refers to the

  • sweat

    Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

  • factory

    Etymology Middle English fact o rie from Old French factorie Old French borrowed fro

  • mill

    Etymology The word mill derives from the Old English term myln pronounced mill in

  • sweating

    Etymology Middle English sweten from Old English swātan of Germanic origin related

  • taboo

    Etymology The word taboo originates from the Tongan language where it is spelled tap

  • bender

    Etymology Bender is of Yiddish origin Derived from the Yiddish word bendn meaning

  • illusion

    Etymology The word illusion derives from the Latin word illudere meaning to mock

  • John

    Etymology Hebrew יוחנן Yōḥānān Meaning God is gracious or Yahweh i

  • leader

    Etymology Old English ledere leader guide Middle English leder Proto Germanic l

  • substance

    Etymology The word substance is derived from the Latin word substantia which means

  • gallery

    Etymology Latin galeria covered walkway Greek γαλέρωμα galērōma hoo