sank work

English

Etymology

Perhaps from the Old French sanc (“blood”), in allusion either to combat or to soldiers' red coats.

Noun

sank work (uncountable)

1. (UK, historical) Work done by tailors on soldiers' clothes.
   • 2002, John Burnett, Idle Hands: The Experience of Unemployment, 1790-1990, page 84:

     […] even some of the 'honourable' men were reduced to this sweated 'sank work' for as little as 4s. to 6s. a week.

   • 2017, Darlene A. Cypser, The Consulting Detective Trilogy Part II: On Stage, page 48:

     Many master tailors keep more hands than they have employment for, especially in the slack. But no work means no pay. Some of those journeymen can't pay their bills and take home 'sank work' of custom-house and post clothing.

References

• John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary