side hustle

A side hustle is paid work you do on top of your main job, like freelancing, selling things online or driving for a delivery app. People take one on for extra money, for a passion project, or to build something of their own.

What counts as a side hustle

Almost anything done for money outside your regular job: tutoring on weekends, selling handmade jewellery, flipping thrifted clothes, pet sitting, editing videos for clients, or running a small online shop. Some side hustles stay small; others grow into full-time businesses.

The word has a hustle-culture edge. Social media is full of people promising that the right side hustle will make you rich, which has made some people roll their eyes at the term.

Examples

• “My side hustle is fixing laptops for neighbours.”
• “She turned her baking side hustle into a café.”
• “Everyone on TikTok is selling a course on side hustles.”
• “I need a side hustle just to afford rent.”

Side hustle vs. second job

A second job usually means working shifts for another employer. A side hustle suggests something more independent and entrepreneurial, even if, in practice, the line is blurry.

Where side hustle comes from

The phrase is much older than social media. Merriam-Webster dates it to 1946. University of Michigan linguist Sarah Thomason told KQED that it was first used in the African American community, citing examples from the 1950s, including the Pittsburgh Courier in 1958.

Related terms

• Grindset: a mindset that glorifies nonstop work.
• Quiet quitting: doing only the minimum at your main job.
• Loud budgeting: openly saving money.
• Acting your wage: matching effort to pay.

More workplace terms in our work and money slang guide.