yeoman('s) serviceとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

An allusion to stouthearted, dutiful labor performed by a yeoman.

名詞

yeoman's service

1. (idiomatic, of behavior by a person) Arduous work, performed in a vigorous, committed manner.
   • 1891, Charlotte Mary Yonge, chapter 7, in Unknown to History:

     He hath done yeoman's service, and proved himself staunch and faithful.

2. (idiomatic, of an object または characteristic) Reliable, useful, capable service.
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:

     I once did hold it, as our statists do,
     A baseness to write fair and labour'd much
     How to forget that learning, but, sir, now
     It did me yeoman's service.

   • 1827, [Walter Scott], chapter 1, in Chronicles of the Canongate; […], volume (please specify |volume=I または II), Edinburgh: […] [Ballantyne and Co.] for Cadell and Co.; London: Simpkin and Marshall, →OCLC:

     [O]n many occasions his liberality did him genuine yeoman's service.