Desk jockey
Meaning: An office worker who spends most of their time sitting at a desk.
A desk jockey is someone chained to their desk, doing paperwork or computer work all day. The term borrows from 'jockey' (someone who rides) to create the image of someone riding a desk instead of a horse. It's mildly derogatory, often used by people who do physical or fieldwork to tease office workers.
Examples
- I used to be a firefighter, but now I'm just a desk jockey pushing papers. 我以前是消防员,现在只是个整天处理文件的坐办公室的。Antes era bombero, pero ahora soy solo un calienta sillas que mueve papeles.以前は消防士だったけど、今は書類仕事ばかりのデスクワーカーだ。예전에는 소방관이었는데, 지금은 서류만 밀어내는 사무직이야.
- Desk jockeys don't understand what it's like to work outdoors in the heat. 坐办公室的人不懂在大热天户外工作是什么感受。Los oficinistas de escritorio no entienden lo que es trabajar al aire libre con el calor.デスクワーカーには、炎天下で外で働くことがどういうものかわからない。사무직들은 무더위 속에서 야외 작업하는 게 어떤 건지 모를 거야.
- After ten years as a desk jockey, my back is killing me. 当了十年的办公室职员,我的腰快废了。Después de diez años calentando la silla, la espalda me está matando.10年もデスクにかじりついていたら、腰がやられたよ。10년간 사무직으로 일했더니 허리가 죽을 것 같아.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: workplace, humor, office culture
Tone: humorous, self-deprecating
✓ Do Say
- I'm just a desk jockey — nothing exciting.我只是个坐办公室的——没什么刺激的。Solo soy un oficinista de escritorio: nada emocionante.ただのデスクワーカーだよ — 特に面白いことはない。나는 그냥 사무직이야 — 딱히 재미있는 건 없어.
- Desk jockeys need to get up and move more.坐办公室的人需要多站起来动动。Los que están todo el día sentados necesitan levantarse y moverse más.デスクワーカーはもっと立ち上がって体を動かす必要がある。사무직들은 일어나서 더 움직여야 해.
✗ Don't Say
- Can sound dismissive of office workers' contributions — use carefully可能显得看不起办公室工作者的贡献——谨慎使用Puede sonar despectivo hacia las contribuciones de los oficinistas: úsalo con cuidadoオフィスワーカーの貢献を軽視する響きがある — 注意して使うこと사무직의 기여를 무시하는 것처럼 들릴 수 있으므로 주의해서 사용할 것
Origin & History
American slang from the mid-20th century, modeled on 'disc jockey' (DJ). Applied to office workers as a humorous way to describe their sedentary job.
Cultural Context
Era: Mid-20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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