dogsbody: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly dated in modern usage.
Quick answer
What does “dogsbody” mean?
A person who does menial or tedious tasks, often in a subordinate role.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who does menial or tedious tasks, often in a subordinate role.
An individual, typically in a workplace or organization, who is assigned all the boring, unskilled, or miscellaneous jobs that others avoid. It implies a lack of status and can carry a sense of exploitation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly British. The concept exists in American English, but the specific term 'dogsbody' is far less common and may not be widely understood.
Connotations
In the UK, it has familiar, if slightly old-fashioned, connotations of office or institutional drudgery. In the US, if understood, it would likely be perceived as a distinctly British term.
Frequency
High frequency in UK informal contexts (workplace, media). Low frequency in US English; terms like 'gofer', 'grunt', or 'lackey' are more common.
Grammar
How to Use “dogsbody” in a Sentence
be the + [organization] dogsbodywork as a dogsbodydogsbody for + [person/team]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dogsbody” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I spent my first year at the firm dogsbodying for the senior partners.
- New recruits often have to dogsbody before they get real responsibility.
American English
- As an intern, she was dogsbodying for the entire marketing department. (Note: term would be marked as British.)
adjective
British English
- He's stuck in a dogsbody role with no prospects.
- She was given all the dogsbody jobs no one else wanted.
American English
- It was a classic dogsbody position. (Note: term would be marked as British.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally to refer to a junior employee who handles all miscellaneous, low-priority tasks for a team or department.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sociological or historical texts discussing workplace hierarchies.
Everyday
Used humorously or complainingly by someone who feels they are doing all the boring jobs (e.g., in a shared house, volunteer group).
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dogsbody”
- Using it as a verb (*'I was dogsbodying all day'). While 'to dogsbody' exists (see below), it's very rare. Using it in formal writing. Capitalising it as a title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated in the British Royal Navy in the early 19th century. It was slang for a pease pudding or suet dumpling (a cheap, basic food), which was later served to sailors as 'dog's body'. The term was then applied contemptuously to a junior officer or seaman who had to do unpleasant tasks, transferring the sense of something lowly and basic to a person.
It can be, depending on context and tone. Used by a manager to describe a subordinate's role, it is dismissive and pejorative. Used by colleagues or self-referentially, it can be humorous or resigned. It's best avoided in formal or sensitive situations.
Yes, but it is very rare and considered informal. The verb form 'to dogsbody' (meaning to do menial work) exists primarily in British English and is not standard.
An 'assistant' is a neutral or formal title that can involve skilled, responsible work. A 'dogsbody' specifically implies the work is unskilled, tedious, and of low status. All dogsbodies might be assistants, but not all assistants are dogsbodies.
A person who does menial or tedious tasks, often in a subordinate role.
Dogsbody is usually informal, slightly dated in modern usage. in register.
Dogsbody: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡzˌbɒdi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡzˌbɑːdi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be/act as] the general dogsbody”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a loyal dog fetching and carrying anything its master throws. A 'dogsbody' is like a human version of that—always fetching coffee, making copies, and running errands.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (with the dogsbody as a lowly, overworked limb or organ). A MENIAL WORKER IS A SERVANT ANIMAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'dogsbody' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?