What chores did they do in 1940?

It depends on what is left to do on your house. Chores can be any thing from washing to dishes, to sweeping, to mowing/shoveling. If you really want your parents/roommates to appreciate your hard...

Chores are minor duties or tasks that you are expected to do by other people but that you may not like doing.

so you can help out and sometimes earn money

Vacuuming is a standardized competitive sport! There's a possibility it will be an Olympic sport in 2016.