Peons Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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peons

[หˆpiหษ’nz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

workers

Peons are lowly workers or laborers, typically performing menial tasks or manual labor. The term peon often carries a connotation of low social status and exploitation.

Synonyms

laborers, servants, workers.

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Word Description / Examples
peons

This term is often used in historical or colonial contexts to refer to laborers with little to no rights, often working in agricultural or manual labor under oppressive conditions. It has a negative connotation.

  • In the 19th century, many peons worked on plantations under harsh conditions.
  • The company treated its employees like peons, giving them no benefits or rights.
laborers

Laborers generally refers to people performing physical work, especially manual labor. This term is neutral and can be used in various fields such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

  • The construction site was bustling with laborers putting up scaffolding.
  • Laborers in the factory were required to work long hours.
workers

Workers is a broad and neutral term used to refer to people engaged in various types of employment, from office work to physical labor. It's generally positive or neutral and widely applicable.

  • The workers in the tech company enjoy a lot of benefits and flexible schedules.
  • Factory workers have organized a strike to demand better working conditions.
servants

Servants are individuals employed to perform domestic duties such as cleaning, cooking, and gardening. This term is often associated with service in homes and sometimes has a historical or feudal connotation.

  • The grand mansion had a staff of servants to maintain its opulence.
  • In the 19th century, many families employed servants to manage household chores.

Examples of usage

  • Peons were responsible for cleaning the fields and carrying heavy loads.
  • The company treated its employees like peons, paying them minimal wages for long hours of work.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In many Latin American cultures, 'peon' often refers to agricultural laborers, highlighting social class distinctions.
  • The representation of peons in literature and art often serves as a critique of social hierarchies and injustice.
  • In some narratives, peons are depicted as resilient characters who endure hardship in pursuit of dignity.

Labor Studies

  • Studies show that peons typically earn much less than their higher-ranking counterparts, reflecting economic disparities.
  • The term 'peonage' refers to a system where workers are bound in servitude due to debts, historically common in the U.S. South.
  • Labor rights movements have aimed to improve conditions for peons, advocating for better wages and treatment.

Literature

  • Famous authors like Charles Dickens and John Steinbeck have featured peons as central characters to illustrate social issues.
  • In literature, peons often symbolize the struggles of the common man against oppressive systems.
  • The depiction of peon characters frequently emphasizes their humanity despite their low status.

Modern Usage

  • Today, 'peon' can be used informally to describe anyone in a low-level job, irrespective of the industry.
  • In corporate lingo, it highlights the often invisible work of support roles that keep organizations running.
  • The term can carry a derogatory connotation, implying a lack of respect for the essential roles these workers fulfill.

Origin of 'peons'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'peon' comes from the Spanish word 'peรณn', meaning 'foot soldier' or 'laborer'.
  • It was first used in English in the 17th century, initially referring to unskilled farm workers.
  • Historically, the word has evolved to describe those in low-ranking positions, particularly in a workplace.

The word 'peon' originated from the Spanish and Portuguese word 'peon', which referred to an unskilled laborer or a person of low social status. The term was commonly used in colonial America and was associated with forced labor and servitude. Over time, the term evolved to describe any lowly worker or laborer performing menial tasks. In modern usage, 'peon' is often used to highlight exploitation and inequality in labor practices.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,310, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.