On the dole - where does this term come from?

Question

With all this talk of getting people on benefits into jobs, the media have been using the term "on the dole" quite a lot. I'm familiar with this term and what it means.

But what I want to know is, why is the word 'dole' used? Where did the term originate?

The only other instance i've seen 'Dole' used is on tinned pineapples!

Answer 1

In the UK, Unemployment Benefit has been known by the slang term 'the dole' since WWI. This derives from the 'doling out', i.e. 'handing out' of charitable gifts of food or money. This dates back to at least 1919, when it was recorded in The Daily Mail:



"You won't draw your out-of-work dole of 29s. this week."

Answer 2

The first real welfare system – Ancient Rome



Throughout time the wealthy have taken from the poor by tithing grain and other crops. But they have also given. In about 70 B.C.E. the problem of feeding the large city of Rome led to a bread dole (ancient welfare) in which it was decreed that bread be distributed free to all adult males, initially numbering 40,000 and increasing to an estimated 300,000 recipients by 275 C.E. Citizens entitled to bread carried bronze or lead ration tickets. Grains to make the necessary bread to feed the population of Rome were imported from Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, North Africa and Egypt. With the decline of the Roman civilization grain trade ceased and commercial baking dwindled

Answer 3

Doling out usually refers to something given in charity and I suspect the word Dole emanates from this.

Answer 4

nicely, Dole is French and varnish be conscious which manes a modern of meals or money in charity disbursed or doled out (the dole); specially, relatively some varieties of money from government money,

Answer 5

Back in the days before the welfare state the parish would dole out indoor and outdoor relief to those less fortunate

Answer 6

It comes from Old English, for a "share" and it seems to have always been used in its 'charity' understanding. I used to hear it, here in the U.S. as a verb, as in "dole out" as just an alternative(?) to 'hand out' as in distribute. It was only later, as I heard more UK-English that I learned of it's "real" definition.

Answer 7

Dole means to give out - to dole out. Hence dole

Answer 8

i made it up........a few weeks ago....