ditchdigging
Manual canal creation
Ditchdigging is the labor of excavating long narrow trenches, typically for drainage or laying pipes.
The work is physically demanding and low-status, making it a symbol of unskilled manual labor: If you don't stay in school, you'll end up ditchdigging.
Also spelled as two words.
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
- shovelTool for moving earth
- spadeFlat-bladed digging implement
- pickaxePointed digging implement
muscle · effort · grit · endurance · fatigue · calluses · backbreaking · grueling
Long narrow excavation
- foxholeMilitary defensive excavation
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
earthwork · parapet · breastwork · sapping · redoubt · emplacement · rampart · bastion
Artificial water supply for agriculture
- culvertTunnel for water passage
- runoffExcess water drainage
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
- waterflowLiquid in motion
stormwater · diversion · catchment · aqueduct · levee · floodplain · spillway · watershed
Machine that digs earth
- backhoeHinged-arm excavating machine
- trencherWooden food board
- bulldozerBladed vehicle pushing earth
- foundationUnderlying support structure
grading · infrastructure · earthwork · site · surveying · loader · earthmover · blueprint
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
pickaxe · muscle · effort · grit · endurance · fatigue · calluses · backbreaking · grueling · workforce
trench
Long narrow excavation
- foxholeMilitary defensive excavation
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
- bunkerReinforced subterranean stronghold
fortification · earthwork · parapet · breastwork · sapping · redoubt · emplacement · rampart · bastion · siege
irrigation
Artificial water supply for agriculture
- culvertTunnel for water passage
- runoffExcess water drainage
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
waterflow · stormwater · diversion · catchment · aqueduct · levee · floodplain · spillway · watershed · groundwater
excavator
Machine that digs earth
foundation · grading · infrastructure · earthwork · site · surveying · loader · earthmover · blueprint · engineering
ditchdiggingintellectual labor
Work requiring thought
desk job · brain surgery · rocket science · clerical work · office work
ditchdiggingdesk job
Seated indoor employment
office work · intellectual labor · clerical work · management · academia