Government welfare payments, especially unemployment benefits. Also refers to a charitable distribution or small portion given out.
From Old English dāl meaning share or portion, related to deal and dell. Originally meant any division or distribution, but narrowed to charitable giving and then government assistance by the 20th century.
The phrase 'on the dole' originated in Britain and reflects a time when unemployment benefits were literally doled out - distributed in small, measured portions. The word maintains its ancient connection to sharing and dividing resources.
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