Skivvying: meaning, definitions and examples
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skivvying
[ ˈskɪvi ]
informal context
Skivvying refers to the act of doing menial or domestic chores, often with a connotation of being in a subservient position. It is derived from the word 'skivvy,' which historically described a servant or housemaid. The term can also imply a sense of drudgery or servitude, suggesting that the task is unglamorous and perhaps unwanted. While skivvying is a modern colloquial term, it alludes to broader themes of labor and domestic responsibility.
Synonyms
cleaning, laboring, serving, toiling.
Examples of usage
- She's always skivvying around the house on weekends.
- After skivvying all day, he was too tired to go out.
- Don't expect me to keep skivvying for you.
- They caught him skivvying for his boss at the event.
Translations
Translations of the word "skivvying" in other languages:
🇵🇹 servir
🇮🇳 गृहकार्य करना
🇩🇪 Hausarbeit machen
🇮🇩 pekerjaan rumah
🇺🇦 робота по дому
🇵🇱 prace domowe
🇯🇵 家事をする
🇫🇷 faire le ménage
🇪🇸 hacer tareas del hogar
🇹🇷 ev işleri yapmak
🇰🇷 집안일을 하다
🇸🇦 أداء الأعمال المنزلية
🇨🇿 dělat domácí práce
🇸🇰 robiť domáce práce
🇨🇳 做家务
🇸🇮 opravljanje hišnih opravil
🇮🇸 gera heimilisstörf
🇰🇿 үй жұмыстары
🇬🇪 სახლური საქმეების კეთება
🇦🇿 ev işlərini görmək
🇲🇽 hacer trabajos del hogar
Etymology
The term 'skivvy' originated in the mid-19th century and is believed to come from the British dialect term 'skivvy,' which referred to a female servant or maid. The use of the term 'skivvying' evolved as a verb form that describes the act of performing chores typically associated with such domestic roles. The term can be traced back to the informal usage in working-class households where such labor was prevalent. Over time, the word has been adopted into more general slang, especially among younger generations who may use it to describe any tedious task, not just those traditionally associated with domestic work. Its connotations may vary, sometimes used humorously or ironically to discuss mundane responsibilities.