WIW is the opposite of RIP but they go together and can be sides of the same coin.
(‘Rest in Peace’ VS ‘Work in War’)
To be used directly when normally saying “RIP” or in the context of counterpointing “laying things to rest”:
Meaning 1) To say that working hard often accompanies resting, (much like “work hard, play hard” (WIW, RIP)
Meaning 2) To say that failure was the cause of violence, forcefulness or trying too hard (WIW, RIP)
Meaning 3) To say that you’ll never rest, never sleep until something is done (WIW)- used on its own.
Meaning 4) As an insult, see example below
(‘Rest in Peace’ VS ‘Work in War’)
To be used directly when normally saying “RIP” or in the context of counterpointing “laying things to rest”:
Meaning 1) To say that working hard often accompanies resting, (much like “work hard, play hard” (WIW, RIP)
Meaning 2) To say that failure was the cause of violence, forcefulness or trying too hard (WIW, RIP)
Meaning 3) To say that you’ll never rest, never sleep until something is done (WIW)- used on its own.
Meaning 4) As an insult, see example below
Thug tries to start fights, initiates/escalates arguments and gets kicked out of a bar by the bouncer (meaning 2)
Onlooker 1: “looks like the troublemaker wont be making any more trouble tonight!”
Bystander 3 (in an air of wise superiority): “Work In War, Rest In Peace”
OR
After a long week at work and lots of drama and hairy situations on a night out, two friends make it back home at 7 in the morning. (Meaning 1)
Mrs Gilbert: “What a night! Just got home”
Mrs Jones: “Gonna hit the hay. WIW, RIP”
OR
(Meaning 3)
Mr Thomas: “Are you still at it after all this time?”
Mr Paisley: “No rest for the wicked, let alone me, RIP-WIW”
Fourth (bonus usage as an insult): “I’ll work in war, you can rest in peace”
Onlooker 1: “looks like the troublemaker wont be making any more trouble tonight!”
Bystander 3 (in an air of wise superiority): “Work In War, Rest In Peace”
OR
After a long week at work and lots of drama and hairy situations on a night out, two friends make it back home at 7 in the morning. (Meaning 1)
Mrs Gilbert: “What a night! Just got home”
Mrs Jones: “Gonna hit the hay. WIW, RIP”
OR
(Meaning 3)
Mr Thomas: “Are you still at it after all this time?”
Mr Paisley: “No rest for the wicked, let alone me, RIP-WIW”
Fourth (bonus usage as an insult): “I’ll work in war, you can rest in peace”
by Hot-Cross Pun March 18, 2026
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When, for the purposes of character development, you pit an established "strong" character against a newer one and have them lose, in order to emphasise the threat that the new character poses. However, when this trick is overused to the point that the previously established "strong" character begins to seem weak, that character has been "Worfed".
This term derives from Lieutenant Worf, the Security Officer onboard the Enterprise in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Worf is a Klingon; an alien species known for its physical power, aggression and warrior mentality. Worf is repeatedly pitted against various enemies who, despite his supposed strength and prowess, would then comfortably defeat him; thus establishing the implied level of danger the crew faces. Over time, The character of Worf became essentially a joke; you could expect him to get bodied every time a new threat turned up that week.
Eventually Worf's reputation would be redeemed in later episodes, and in the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; his character receiving some badly needed development over the course of several years until he reached the stage of becoming one of the most beloved and recognised characters in the franchise.
When, for the purposes of character development, you pit an established "strong" character against a newer one and have them lose, in order to emphasise the threat that the new character poses. However, when this trick is overused to the point that the previously established "strong" character begins to seem weak, that character has been "Worfed".
This term derives from Lieutenant Worf, the Security Officer onboard the Enterprise in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Worf is a Klingon; an alien species known for its physical power, aggression and warrior mentality. Worf is repeatedly pitted against various enemies who, despite his supposed strength and prowess, would then comfortably defeat him; thus establishing the implied level of danger the crew faces. Over time, The character of Worf became essentially a joke; you could expect him to get bodied every time a new threat turned up that week.
Eventually Worf's reputation would be redeemed in later episodes, and in the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; his character receiving some badly needed development over the course of several years until he reached the stage of becoming one of the most beloved and recognised characters in the franchise.
First Person:"I see that Superman is getting slapped around in this week's DC comic. So much for being the World's Strongest."
Second Person:"I know, right? The writers seem to be Worfing him every time they create some new, random villain".
Second Person:"I know, right? The writers seem to be Worfing him every time they create some new, random villain".
by Calledwylch May 16, 2025
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Co-worker: you got hit with a dirty workie
Co-worker: you got hit with a dirty workie
by Baby giant January 26, 2021
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