Prometheus writes:

I can recall working for a small machine shop that was very much like
that. We called it "government work" and you were allowed free run of
the shop on your lunch 1/2 hr to do whatever metal work you might have
need of doing.

We call it that here as well- I figured it was an oddball thing that
was specific to the shop, but I guess not!


Naaaah. It's used all over for the neubies. When I was a pink-faced
summer assistent to a welder, (Chip the Welder in Amsterdam, NY) I
watched and learned a lot. I asked about some of his odd projects he
welded together at lunchtime, he looked left and right, and whispered
"guv'ment work. I can't talk about it."

I did think it was odd that the guv'ment was interested in a
rotisserie for a grill. :-)

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