Final answer:
In the context provided, 'sweaty' compliments the person's hard work by comparing them to a professional athlete, suggesting that they are working with the intensity and commitment exhibited in physical sports.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term sweaty as used in the given context refers to a: Referring to physical exertion. The comparison to a professional athlete suggests that the perspiration results from the intensity and dedication with which the person is performing their job. This usage implies commendation rather than disapproval or a reference to nervousness or discomfort. The phrase acknowledges the hard work put in, similar to that of an athlete who trains rigorously.
In literature, as well as in colloquial language, 'sweaty' can have various connotations. For instance, Horace in Epode 12 uses it to illustrate a vivid and potentially negative scenario, contrasting with the positive light in which it's used in the given context. Moreover, the concept of sweat is intimately connected to physical effort and the body's way of regulating temperature through evaporation, as explained in scientific discussions of metabolic rate and exercise.