Did your partner say 'another day, another dollar' as they walked out the door on their way to work? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'another day, another dollar' refers to the daily grind felt by employees. The phrase usually refers to low-income jobs where people feel they have no purpose at work. The expression describes the day-in, day-out grindset of people living in low-income or middle-class households.
The phrase has an air of poverty surrounding it. Typically, people who use the expression earn minimum wage and don't get any inspiration from their work.
Example Usage
“Oh well. Another day another dollar. Let’s get to work and start before the boss starts calling to chew us out again.”
“And here we are. Another day, another dollar. Life passes slowly, and all we can do is go along for the ride, right?”
“I’m tired of this ‘another day, another dollar’ mentality. I need a better job that pays me what I deserve.”
“It looks like the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again. That means less spending power for my money. Off to work, another day, another dollar.”
“If you say ‘another day, another dollar’ one more time, I’m going to fire you for depressing the team.”
“This is our world. Another day, another dollar. We’re all out there on our grind trying to make it.”
“Time to go to work, honey. Another day another dollar. I’ll see you later, have a great day. Are we going to go out for dinner tonight?”
“That was a rough day at the office, but you know what they say, ‘another day, another dollar.’ We’re one step closer to retirement.”
“Let’s get at it. Another day, another dollar. We must grind to make a living and put food on the table.”
Origin
The expression 'another day, another dollar' originates from the construction of the Panama Canal between 1903 and 1914. According to experts, the workers on the canal only received a dollar a day for their labor.
The song 'Another day another dollar,' written and recorded by country artist Wynn Stewart popularized the saying across America and the globe. The track was released in 1962, reaching top-40 single status. Joe Johnson produced the song at Challenge Records.
The artists recorded the song in the Bakersfield Sound style of country music. The song spent three weeks on the Billboard Country and Western Sides charts, reaching #27 by the end of 1962.
'Another day, another dollar' experienced a revival in 2011, with VW using it in their marketing campaign for the VW Jetta.
Phrases Similar to Another Day Another Dollar
- Taking it day by day.
- Same sh*t, different day.
Phrases Opposite to Another Day Another Dollar
- N/A.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Another day another dollar.
Ways People May Say Another Day Another Dollar Incorrectly
The phrase 'another day, another dollar' doesn't mean that someone's paying you a dollar for a full day's work. It's a way of describing the day-in, day-out grindset of the average blue-collar worker.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Another Day Another Dollar
You can use the term 'another day, another dollar' when talking to others about your daily grind. You could say it to your family when walking out the door to work in the morning or when returning home. The phrase suits social and professional use. Use it at work when you're opening the store for the day, or use it with friends when you want to describe another day at work.
Typically, people that use the phrase 'another day, another dollar' are on the lower side of the employee pay scale. The expression usually constitutes a negative or flat connotation, and it's rarely used in a positive light. If you tell someone 'another day, another dollar,' it means you're feeling bored with your job, and you're feeling the mundane repetition of your daily grind.