stoop labor

noun

the physical labor associated with the cultivation or picking of crops in farm fields, especially as performed by poorly paid, unskilled workers.

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Word History and Origins

First recorded in 1945–50

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Idioms and Phrases

Back-bending manual work, especially farm work. For example, They had us picking peas all day, and that's too much stoop labor. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The next generation is the key: Will the influx of remittances allow Comachuen’s young adults to build a life in Mexico, instead of doing stoop labor in U.S. fields?

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Mensalvas says he and the others had listened to the recruiters for stoop labor in U.S. farms — in Hawaii, or on the West Coast — or maybe canneries in Alaska.

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It was hard work, though—Hatsue and her sisters would do a lot of it in their lives—stoop labor performed in the direct sun.

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People show up for work cutting lettuce etc., stoop labor, and they last about half a day before they quit.

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Pickers perform stoop labor for up to 10 hours a day; rarely get health insurance, despite chronic back injuries; and earn an average of only $8,500 for a seven-month season.

From Time Magazine Archive

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