eager beaver
Eager Beaver - An overzealous or extremely ambitious individual. The beaver has been known as an especially hard worker since at least the seventeenth century, analogous to the busy bee. However, in the twentieth century, this not-quite-rhyming expression gained prominence. Most notably during World War II, it was humorously used to describe overenthusiastic recruits who promptly volunteered for everything, defying the unofficial military mantra, “Never volunteer,” and thus becoming an enduring cliché.
Related and Similar Terms:
- Go-getter: Someone who is very energetic, determined, and works hard to succeed.
- Busy bee: Similar due to its association with industriousness.
- Keen as mustard: Very eager or enthusiastic.
- Brown-noser: Someone who tries too hard to please or flatter their superiors.
Humor-Filled Quote:
“Honey, you’re such an eager beaver that I half expect you to start building a dam in our living room!”
Proverbs:
- “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
- Reference: A warning that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring.
- “Roll up your sleeves and get to work.”
- Reference: Encourages taking initiative and hard work, but possibly a bit overused by eager beavers!
Recommended Literature:
- “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy: A novel featuring characters of various ambitions and zeal.
- “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller: Delve into the absurdity of wartime bureaucracy which eager beavers might naively plunge into.
Recommended Movies:
- “Forrest Gump”: A tale of a man who, filled with simple, earnest enthusiasm, achieves extraordinary things.
- “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”: Inspiring tale of breaking free from the mundane to pursue one’s ambitious dreams.
Fun and Engaging Quizzes:
Remember, it’s both admirable and entertaining to be an eager beaver, just be sure to avoid building dams in living rooms! Until next time, keep that enthusiasm balanced with a bit of fun and relaxation.
Exploring the labyrinth of language with keen curiosity,
Penelope Quippy
