The term 'steady, dull and laborious routine' can be summed up in one word: GRIND. This term is often used to describe a job or task that requires a lot of hard work and dedication, with little reward or recognition. It is usually a repetitive and monotonous task that requires a lot of patience and perseverance. The term is often used to describe jobs such as factory work, manual labor, or any other type of job that requires a lot of physical effort.