A laborer or worker hired by the day; someone who works for daily wages rather than a salary or regular contract.
From 'day' + 'man,' a direct compound describing a type of worker. Common in pre-industrial and agricultural labor where daily hire was standard.
In medieval England and beyond, 'daymen' were at the bottom of the labor hierarchy—no job security, no benefits, just show up and hope there's work, which is why seeing the term reminds us how recently most workers gained job protection.
Historically, occupational terms defaulted to masculine forms (dayman, laborer, worker) even when women performed identical labor. This gendered language erased women's economic contributions and reinforced occupational segregation.
Use 'day laborer', 'day worker', or 'daylaborer' regardless of gender.
["day laborer","day worker","daylaborer"]
Women were historically day laborers in agriculture, textiles, and service work but were rendered invisible by gendered job titles. Reclaiming neutral language restores their presence in occupational history.
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