Goldbrick

/ˈɡoʊldˌbrɪk/ noun

Definition

A person who avoids work or shirks their duty; someone who tricks others or fails to deliver what they promise.

Etymology

American slang from the early 1900s, likely originating from the image of a worthless brick painted to look like gold—a perfect con. The term became especially popular in military slang during World War I.

Kelly Says

This word perfectly captures American slang cleverness—the image is so vivid that you can immediately understand why 'goldbrick' means someone who's faking value or being lazy!

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