1913 (adj.); 1937 (n.), "busy-work, activity of no value," American English, from the verbal expression to make work (see make (v.) + work (n.)).
A big fire devoured a street; "It will make work," I heard my father say; a ship was lost at sea laden with silk, and leather, and cloth; "It will make work," said my father; a reservoir broke jail, and swept the heart of the town away. "It will make work," my mother said; so all human calamities were softened blessings to me; they made "work," and work made wages, and wages made bread and potatoes, and clothes for me. ["The Radical Review," Chicago, Sept. 15, 1883]
双语例句
1. For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?
我们活着是为了什么？不就是给邻居当笑柄，再反过来笑他们。
来自《傲慢与偏见》
2. Sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for better things.
有时候要到达谷底，才会慢慢变好。
来自金山词霸 每日一句
3. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.
人生就应该是快乐的，要抓住每一天，孩子们，让你们的生活变得非凡起来。
来自电影《死亡诗社》
4. These large institutions make — and change—the rules to suit themselves.
