Hospital Job

[imac2002]

Where does the phrase "Hospital Job" come from, it is often used in the building trade reffering to a small side job that you put your workers on when there is nothing else to do.

[Philtaz]

Can't say I've heard of it.  I've heard of a Hospital Pass(usually in rugby) but not a Hospital Job.

[wenlock]

The phrase "Hospital Job" is a slang term used to describe a job or activity that is potentially dangerous.

[Nickelfixit]

Sorry, I don't know where it comes from, but I have heard the term used in that exact context, in UK when I was a Painter/ Decorator in the 1970's.

[WilliamFP]

My father, a 'real' Cockney (born in the slums of the city of London in 1910) and a carpenter by trade (but a successful building contractor by the time I appeared!) on seeing how I'd trashed my Ford Capri at the age of 19 told the mechanic he had rebuild it to treat it as a "hospital job" meaning to work on it as and when it didn't interfere with his other work. That's the only time I've heard the expression used - in 1975. But the chap knew what my dad meant so imagine it was a much more common expression back then; life still had a less frenetic pace I guess

[Dochom]

Don't know where the term originated from, but it was passed onto me by my Father, and l still use it, as per an infill between projects. Perhaps being in Hospital was a break from normal routine during WW1 fighting?