donkey power

English

Etymology

The humorous unit of power is modelled on horsepower, since a donkey is a less powerful draught animal than a horse.

Noun

donkey power

  2. (humorous) A unit of power equal to 250 watts, or about one third of a horsepower.
    Coordinate term: horsepower
    The Yugo car was famous for how anemic its engine was, but its output sounded more impressive when reported in donkey power.
  4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: motive power provided by one or more donkeys.
    Coordinate terms: horse power, manpower, humanpower
    In that era, most of the equipment in this mine was run by donkey power.
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