Yeoman's work

Posted by David FG November 09, 2005In reply to Yeoman's work posted by Philip Fortnam on November 09, 2005

What does the phrase "Yeoman's work" mean? I can't locate a definition. What's the history of the phrase? Thanks. Philip

'Yeoman work' or 'yeoman service' is simply good, honest, hard work. A yeoman was a class of farmer, above a labourer but below a land-owner - a tenant farmer - who had (has) a reputation for hard toil.

DFG