I thought "earned income" was an actual accounting term (to define a type of taxable income as opposed to passive income):
https://itap1.for.irs.gov/owda/0/resource/Commentary_Files_R...
" Earned income is money received as payment for work, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, tips, and net earnings from self-employment. For tax purposes, it can also include long-term disability payments, union strike benefits, and, in some cases, payments from certain deferred retirement compensation arrangements.
Income such as investment profits and Social Security payments is considered unearned income, also known as passive income."