The word hireling is spelled with the "l" before the "i" which might seem unusual to some English speakers. This is due to the word's origin in Middle English, where the spelling was hirlyng, with the "l" pronounced before the "y." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ˈhaɪr.lɪŋ/, with the stress on the first syllable and the "r" sound before the "l." Today, the word is primarily used to describe someone who is hired to do a task, often implying a lack of loyalty or commitment.
A hireling is an individual employed or engaged in exchange for financial compensation to perform specific tasks or services on behalf of another person, organization, or establishment. The term typically refers to someone who is hired for a temporary, contractual, or occasional basis, and is not considered a permanent or full-time employee.
A hireling can be found across various industries and sectors, such as agriculture, construction, retail, hospitality, and professional services. They may work under direct supervision or operate independently, depending on the nature of the job requirements. Hirelings can hold a wide range of positions, including farmhands, wait staff, clerical workers, laborers, consultants, and many others.
The relationship between a hireling and the entity they work for is primarily built upon a mutually agreed-upon contract, which outlines the terms and conditions of employment, compensation, and responsibilities. Hirelings may work for multiple clients simultaneously or work exclusively for a single employer during a specific project.
The term "hireling" often carries a connotation of being more focused on financial compensation rather than personal fulfillment or loyalty to the employer. Consequently, it can sometimes be used in a more negative sense, implying that the duties performed by a hireling are completed with less dedication or enthusiasm compared to an employee with a deeper connection to the organization.
One who serves for wages; a mercenary-used generally in a bad sense.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "hireling" originated in the late 15th century and is derived from Middle English "hirlen" or "hyrlen", which meant "to hire" or "to obtain services for payment". It is a combination of the Old English word "hyrian" (to hire) and the suffix "-ling" (which denotes a person associated with or characterized by the preceding word, in this case, "hire"). Over time, "hireling" came to refer to someone who is employed for wages, often with the implication of being solely motivated by monetary gain and lacking loyalty or dedication.