elbow greasen.
humorous.
Vigorous rubbing, proverbially referred to as the best unguent for polishing furniture. Hence allusively, energetic labour of any kind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigorous activity > energetic work
elbow grease1672
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 5 Two or three brawny Fellows in a Corner, with meer Ink and Elbow-grease, do more Harm than an Hundred systematical Divines with their sweaty Preaching.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Elbow-grease, a derisory Term for Sweat.
1735 A. Littleton Linguæ Latinæ Liber Dictionarius (new ed.) It had no elbow-grease bestowed on't. Nec demorsos sapit ungues.
1879 A. Trollope Thackeray 122 Forethought is the elbow-grease which a novelist,—or poet, or dramatist,—requires.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1672