Yeoman's Service: Definition, Meaning, and Origin

Last Updated on
August 25, 2023

The idiom "yeoman's service" means to do a loyal, diligent, and valuables service for someone or something. It implies that the person who does the service is not expecting any reward or recognition but is simply doing their duty or obligation.

In short:

  • To perform a "yeoman's service" is to do a service that is faithful, hardworking, and valuable for someone or something.
  • The idiom can be used to express gratitude, admiration, or praise for someone's work or effort.

What Does "Yeoman's Service" Mean?

The idiom "yeoman's service" means to do a service that shows loyalty, diligence, and usefulness without asking or expecting any reward. In addition, the idiom can also express appreciation, respect, or recognition for someone's work or effort.

Where Does "Yeoman's Service" Come From?

The idiom "yeoman's service" comes from the historical role of yeomen, who were freeholders, or farmers who served as soldiers or officers in medieval England. Yeomen were not nobles or peasants but belonged to a middle class of landowners with some rights and privileges. They were often loyal and faithful to their lords or kings and performed various duties and services for them.

10 Examples of "Yeoman's Service" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom "yeoman's service" in various sentences:

  • She did a yeoman's service for the company by working hard day in and day out.
  • He showed a yeoman's service in the army by defending his country with honor and courage.
  • Sophie did a yeoman's service of cleaning the house and laying the table for the guests' dinner.
  • No worries. He will do a yeoman's service to finish the task for us. He's our stand-up guy.
  • Marlon did a yeoman's service of volunteering for the charity. He's such a hidden gem.
  • Yaas! She did a yeoman's service of writing and presenting the report to the board.
  • He has been doing a yeoman's service to the church for years by helping with its maintenance.
  • Von doesn't cut corners in offering his yeoman's service to the school. He donates to it regularly.
  • Amanda did a yeoman's service for Austin by caring for his children while he was under the weather.
  • We are happy with his yeoman's service to our company. He has always been reliable.

Examples of "Yeoman's Service" in Pop Culture

The idiom "yeoman's service" has also been used in various forms of pop culture.

Here are some examples:

  • In The Avengers, Agent Phil Coulson did "yeoman's service" for S.H.I.E.L.D. and the superhero team by sacrificing his life to stop Loki from escaping with the Tesseract.
  • In the T.V. series Game of Thrones, Brienne of Tarth did "yeoman's service" for Catelyn Stark and her daughters by swearing an oath to protect them and fulfilling it despite many dangers and difficulties.
  • In the musical Les Misérables, Jean Valjean did "yeoman's service" for his adopted daughter Cosette by raising her as his own, protecting her from his enemy Javert, and supporting her love for Marius.
  • In the video game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Zelda did "yeoman's service" for Hyrule and Link by using her power to seal away Calamity Ganon for 100 years, giving Link time to recover and prepare for the final battle.

Other Ways to Say "Yeoman's Service"

Here are some synonyms or alternative expressions for the idiom:

  • stellar service
  • great service
  • effective service
  • diligent service
  • faithful service
  • unwavering service
  • useful service

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Yeoman's Service"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom "yeoman’s service," along with their answers:

  • What does "yeoman's service" mean?

The idiom "yeoman's service" means to do a service that shows loyalty, diligence, and usefulness without asking or expecting any reward.

  • What is the origin of the phrase "yeoman's service"?

The idiom "yeoman's service" comes from the historical role of yeomen, freeholders, or farmers who served as loyal and faithful soldiers or officers in medieval England.

  • What are some synonyms for "yeoman's service"?

Some synonyms for this idiom are: stellar service, great service, effective service, diligent service, faithful service, unwavering service, useful service, etc.

  • Is "yeoman's service" a compliment or an insult?

It is usually a compliment expressing gratitude, admiration, or praise for someone's work or effort. However, it can also be used sarcastically or ironically to mock someone’s work or effort.

  • Can "yeoman's service" be used for things other than people?

Yes, it can be used for things that perform a loyal, diligent, or valuable service for someone or something. For example, one can say that a machine or a tool did a "yeoman's service" for a task or a project.

  • Is "yeoman" singular or plural?

It can be both singular and plural. The singular form is "a yeoman" or "the yeoman," and the plural form is "yeomen" or "the yeomen."

  • Is there a feminine form of "yeoman"?

Yes, there is. The feminine form is "yeowoman" or "the yeowoman," and the plural form is "yeowomen" or "the yeowomen."

  • What is the difference between "yeoman's service" and "yeoman's job" or "yeoman's work"?

There is no significant difference between these expressions; they all mean to do a loyal, diligent, and valuable service for someone or something. However, "yeoman's job" or "yeoman's work" may emphasize the quality or quantity of the work done, while "yeoman's service" may emphasize the loyalty or usefulness of the service done.

  • Is "yeoman's service" a common or rare idiom?

It is not a very common idiom, mainly used in formal or literary contexts. It may also sound old-fashioned or outdated, as it is based on a historical role no longer relevant in modern times. However, most native speakers still understand it, and it can be used to add some flair or elegance to one's speech or writing.

  • Can I use "yeoman's service" in other languages?

Yes, you can use "yeoman's service" in other languages, but you may need to find an equivalent expression with the same meaning and nuance.

Final Thoughts About "Yeoman's Service"

The idiom "yeoman's service" is an exciting and expressive way to describe a loyal, diligent, and helpful service for someone or something. On the other hand, the idiom can be used to express gratitude, admiration, or praise for someone’s work or effort.

In summary:

  • The idiom means to do faithful, dynamic, and valuable service for someone or something.
  • It comes from the historical role of "yeomen" in medieval England.
  • In addition, it can be used to express gratitude, admiration, or praise for someone's work or effort.
  • Furthermore, the idiom has some variations and related expressions.
  • Lastly, it has some synonyms or alternative expressions.

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