{"id":9113,"date":"2022-09-11T17:11:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:11:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=9113"},"modified":"2022-09-11T17:12:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:12:02","slug":"per-diem-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/per-diem-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Per Diem \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you reading through your employment contract? Do you know what the term \u2018per diem\u2019<\/em><\/strong> means? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018per diem\u2019<\/em> is a noun. It refers to an amount of money paid to your by an employer to cover your daily expenses<\/u> when working on their behalf. For instance, if your company sends you to a foreign country on a contract, they may pay you a daily stipend in local currency or dollars to cover those expenses you incur while away from work.<\/p>\n

\u2018Per diem\u2019<\/em> can also refer to \u2018by the day.\u2019<\/em> This use of the expression is usually found in contract law, describing conditions of employment or payment<\/u>. For instance, you could employ someone on a day-to-day basis and pay them on a day-to-day (per diem<\/em>) basis.<\/p>\n

\u2018Per diem\u2019<\/em> describes a single day, not a week or month. It\u2019s not common to hear the phrase outside professional communications or contract law.<\/u><\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"We're willing to hire you on a 'per diem' basis. We're not looking for permanent employees right now. We'll discuss that after the recession ends.\"<\/p>\n

\"We only hire people on a 'per diem' basis. We're not interested in the pain of hiring full-time employees who depend on the company for everything.\"<\/p>\n

\"The company pays me daily expenses on a 'per diem' basis. I get $100 per day just to cover things like buying food and my entertainment.\"<\/p>\n

\"Most of the guys that get paid 'per diem' stipends on contracts just use it for beer money. There's a huge problem with alcoholism in contract work offshore.\"<\/p>\n

\"I mean, what would you do if you got $100 a day to do whatever you want? Most of the guys just drink their lives away in the bar.\"<\/p>\n

\"We'll have to consider a 'per diem' employment position for you. I can't afford to take on any full-time employees at the moment, but I don't want to lose your skills.\"<\/p>\n

\"Are you going to pay me 'per diem,' or am I getting a salary? The employment contract isn't clear, and I want to confirm that with you.\"<\/p>\n

\"The boss told me he's paying me per diem for my daily expenses. That means I get free beer money every day I'm on the contract. This is my dream job.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'per diem' dates back to the early 19th century. However, the term's adjective goes back to the mid-1700s. The phrase kept its meaning over the centuries and is still in use in contract law and business.<\/p>\n

Language experts cannot pinpoint when the term entered the English lexicon or who coined its first use. However, the early use of the saying referred to paying someone a stipend for their loyalty. It was a daily fee owed to the employee of a business.<\/p>\n