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Discussion » Questions » Life and Society » Why do they call it the rat race?

Why do they call it the rat race?

Posted - December 21, 2017

Responses


  • The term comes from the race between two rats to get the piece of cheese at the other of the room first by trying to outrun each other. In the process, they spend more energy than the reward is worth. It signifies an endless, futile pursuit, a mad competition one embarks on. In real life situations, trying to outsmart colleagues to get a promotion before them by hook or crook represents a very common rat race.
    -Dr V Subramanyan, Mumbai

    SOURCE: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/What-is-the-origin-of-rat-race/articleshow/7931028.cms?
      December 21, 2017 4:21 AM MST
    3

  • 16796
    Because even if you win, you're still a rat. 
      December 21, 2017 4:24 AM MST
    2

  • 5614
    All the winner gets is a hunk of cheese :(
      December 21, 2017 7:28 AM MST
    2

  • 22891
    cause someone decided to call it that
      December 22, 2017 4:48 PM MST
    1