Working like a Trojan

Posted by ESC on February 06, 2001

In Reply to: Working like a trojan posted by Barbara on February 05, 2001

: Does anyone know the origin and/or meaning of "working like a trojan"?

WORK LIKE A TROJAN - "Trojan originally referred to the inhabitants of Troy, the ancient city besieged by the Greeks in their efforts to retrieve their queen, Helen, who had been abducted by the son of the King of Troy. According to legend, as recorded in both Vergil's 'Aeneid' and Homer's 'Illiad,' the Trojans were a hard-working, determined, industrious people. Hence: 'He worked like a Trojan." From Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins by William and Mary Morris (HarperCollins, New York, 1977, 1988).