A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely. The term is commonly associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment.

Etymology

The earliest known occurrence is 1934. In reference to aviation training a rat race was originally a "

follow-the-leader In a marching band, follow-the-leader is a visual effect in which one band member follows the next. The move can be from side to side, front to back, or diagonal. It usually occurred when band members break into ranks/squads that perform a specific ...

" game in which a trainee fighter pilot had to copy all the actions (loops, rolls, spins, Immelmann turns etc.) performed by an experienced pilot. From 1945, the phrase took on the meaning of "competitive struggle."

Historical usage

*''

The Rat Race ''The Rat Race'' is a 1960 American drama film adapted from the play of the same name by Garson Kanin. Directed by Robert Mulligan, it stars Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds as struggling young entertainment professionals in New York City. Filmin ...

'' was used as a title for a novel written by

Jay Franklin John Franklin Carter a.k.a. Jay Franklin a.k.a. Diplomat a.k.a. Unofficial Observer (1897–1967) was an American journalist, columnist, biographer and novelist. He notably wrote the syndicated column, "We the People", under his pen name Jay ...

in 1947 for

Colliers Magazine ''Collier's'' was an American general interest magazine founded in 1888 by Peter Fenelon Collier. It was launched as ''Collier's Once a Week'', then renamed in 1895 as ''Collier's Weekly: An Illustrated Journal'', shortened in 1905 to ''Collie ...

and first published in book form in 1950. It is dedicated ''To those few rats in Washington who do not carry brief-cases.'' *The term "rat race" was used in an article about Samuel Goudsmit published in 1953 entitled: ''A Farewell to String and Sealing Wax~I'' in which Daniel Lang wrote, * Philip K. Dick used the term in "

The Last of the Masters "The Last of the Masters" (also known as "Protection Agency") is a science fiction novelette by American writer Philip K. Dick. The original manuscript of the story was received by the Scott Meredith Literary Agency on July 15, 1953, and the s ...

", published in 1954: *

Jim Bishop James Alonzo Bishop (November 21, 1907 – July 26, 1987) was an American journalist and author who wrote the bestselling book ''The Day Lincoln was Shot''. Early life Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he dropped out of school after eighth grad ...

used the term rat race in his book ''The Golden Ham: A Candid Biography of Jackie Gleason.'' The term occurs in a letter

Jackie Gleason John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916June 24, 1987) was an American actor, comedian, writer, composer, and conductor known affectionately as "The Great One." Developing a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York, he was know ...

wrote to his wife in which he says: "Television is a rat race, and remember this, even if you win you are still a rat." * William H. Whyte used the term rat race in The Organization Man:

Solutions

"Escaping the rat race" can have a number of different meanings: * Movement from work or geographical location into (typically) a more rural area *

Retirement Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours or workload. Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their j ...

, quitting or ceasing work * Moving from a job of high strenuosity to one of lesser strenuosity, like the tang ping lifestyle of young Chinese * Adopting a Buddha-like mindset * Changing to a different job altogether *

Remote work Remote work, also called work from home (WFH), work from anywhere, telework, remote job, mobile work, and distance work is an employment arrangement in which employees do not commute to a central place of work, such as an office building, ware ...

* Becoming financially independent from an employer * Living in harmony with nature * Developing an inner attitude of detachment from materialistic pursuits * Alienation from the norms of society

Music

* " Slave to the Wage" by English alternative rock band

Placebo A placebo ( ) is a substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value. Common placebos include inert tablets (like sugar pills), inert injections (like Saline (medicine), saline), sham surgery, and other procedures. In general ...

is a song that describes the classical Rat Race, on the 2000 album '' Black Market Music''. * "Escape (Free Yo Mind From This Rat Race)" was released as the b-side of " Glam Slam", the second single from Prince's album '' Lovesexy'' and was later included on ''

The B-Sides The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...

'' compilation. *"

Rat Race A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely. The term is ...

" by English ska band The Specials *"Mice Race" by British

Anarcho-punk Anarcho-punk (also known as anarchist punk or peace punk) is ideological subgenre of punk rock that promotes anarchism. Some use the term broadly to refer to any punk music with anarchist lyrical content, which may figure in crust punk, hardcor ...

/ Deathrock band

Rudimentary Peni Rudimentary Peni are a British anarcho-punk band formed in 1980, emerging from the London anarcho-punk scene. Lead singer/guitarist Nick Blinko is notorious for his witty, macabre lyrics and dark pen-and-ink artwork, prominently featured on al ...

. *''Rat Race'' Devil's Playground by

Billy Idol William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), known professionally as Billy Idol, is a British-American singer, songwriter, and musician. He first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer o ...

(2005) *''Rat Race'' Rastaman Vibration by

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981; baptised in 1980 as Berhane Selassie) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements ...

(1976) *''Rat Race'' by Babbu Maan (album Pagal Shayar-2020) *''The Clockwise Witness'' by DeVotchKa is a song that describes the futility of Rat Race (album A Mad & Faithful Telling-2008) *''Even if You Win, You're Still a Rat'' by Architects (2012) * '' RatRace'' by English metal band Skindred (2007) * ''

The Racing Rats "The Racing Rats" is the third single from Editors (band), Editors' second album ''An End Has a Start''. The single was released on 26 November 2007 with a CD format and three 7" singles in the UK, as well as on two CD formats and DVD on Play It ...

'' by English rock band Editors (2007)

Etymology

Historical usage

Solutions

Music

See also

References

Further reading