Definition of scrub out

The phrase "scrub out" has multiple meanings in different contexts, but its origin can be traced back to naval terminology. In the early 19th century, when ships were equipped with wooden hulls, they were frequently cleaned and maintained by specialist sailors called "sctabs." The task of cleaning the inside of the ship's mess decks, sleeping quarters, and cooking spaces fell to these scabs. The process of cleaning these spaces involved scraping and scrubbing the wooden surfaces using harsh tools and materials, such as chisels, brushes, and sandpaper. This notoriously grueling and uncomfortable chore earned the scabs the reputation of being the lowest-ranking sailors on board. The term "scrub out" eventually came to describe any type of arduous or unpleasant task that required extensive cleaning or manual labor, particularly one that is deemed beneath the dignity of others. The phrase has since come to be used more broadly, particularly in reference to computer systems, where "scrubbing out" data or files that are no longer required involves removing them permanently from a database or storage device. In summary, the origin of the phrase "scrub out" can be traced back to the practical necessity of cleaning and maintaining wooden ships in the early 19th century, which left an indelible mark on naval terminology and extended its usage to other contexts over time.