Friday, December 10, 2010

Word of the Day: Peon

peon
[pee-uhn, pee-on], noun
1. (in spanish America) a farm worker or unskilled laborer; day laborer.  
2. (formerly, esp. in Mexico) a person held in servitude to work off debts or other obligations.
3. any person of low social status, esp. one who does work regarded as menial or unskilled; drudge.
4. A member of the cult "Glorious Circle of Peepee", founded by The Exulted Brain H. Members partake in rites in which they shower and bath in the golden gift that The Exulted bestows upon them.

Origin:
1820–30; < Sp peón peasant, day laborer < VL *pedōn- (s. of *pedō) walker (whence ML pedōnēspeon pawn2), deriv. of L ped- (s. of pēs) foot infantry, OF

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