Origin

[.cadt16331]

what is the origin of 'work like a trouper(trooper)'

[TheHitMaker]

A trooper is an infantry soldier - who work hard!

[andy hughes]

The original 'trouper' was a member of the theatrical profession, typically someone who travelled round the country performing plays. The traditional role is for someone who works with little or no time off - hence the phrase.

[Quizmonster]

In phrases such as 'swear like a trooper' and 'lie like a trooper', the person referred to is certainly an infantryman. However, I suspect that 'work like a troUper' - which is sometimes also spelt 'troOper' - is a reference to actors/dancers...members of a troupe, in other words. In past times, such companies used to travel the country putting on plays, shows etc. They would frequently not have enough personnel to cover all the parts and jobs, so any one member might be a director, a stage-erector, a scene-shifter, Hamlet, a ship's captain (or whatever) within the play etc all in one evening. I'm not suggesting that soldiers aren't busy, but not quite SO busy, perhaps.

[Quizmonster]

Andy, we must have been writing simultaneously. If I'd kept my answer as brief as yours, I might have beaten you to it!

[TheHitMaker]

I stand corrected!

[mikewith]

I thought ABBA's 'Super Trouper' referred to the lights trained on stage during a concert?