For most of us, the word labor probably makes us think of one thing: work.

We labor at a job. We talk about hard labor. And once a year, we even get a holiday celebrating it.

But the word labor has a much longer—and slightly more difficult—history than you might think.

Labor comes to English through French from the Latin word labor, which meant work, exertion, hardship or trouble.

And that idea of hardship has stuck around. If something takes a lot of effort, we say it requires labor. If something is difficult, we might call it laborious.

But here's where the word takes an interesting turn.

You've probably heard the term “labor pains.” That's not a completely different use of the word. Labor can also mean the physical work and effort involved in giving birth.

So whether you're building a house, working a nine-to-five, or bringing a new person into the world, you're laboring.

And that brings us to Labor Day.

The first Labor Day celebration in the United States was held in New York City in 1882. More than a decade later, in 1894, Congress made the first Monday in September a federal holiday honoring American workers.

So this Labor Day, while you're enjoying a day away from work, take a moment to appreciate the word itself.

Because it isn't just about having a job. It's about effort, work—and sometimes, a whole lot of hard work.  That’s labor.