scrimshanker

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scrimshanker

A soldier is accused of being a scrimshanker by his sergeant.

Definition

Noun: - A person who avoids work or duty; a shirker: "scrimshanker" refers to someone who habitually evades responsibilities or tasks, often through laziness or deceit.

Usage
  • This word is a noun used to label a person who shirks. It is typically used in informal or colloquial contexts, often with a tone of criticism or disapproval.
  • It functions as a subject or object in a sentence.
Examples
Advanced Usage
  • The term can be used in a more figurative sense to describe someone who avoids difficult situations or unpleasant tasks beyond just physical labor.
    • In the debate, he was a total scrimshanker, dodging every tough question.
Variants and Related Words
  • Scrimshank (verb): To shirk one's duty or avoid work.
    • He tried to scrimshank by pretending to be ill.
Synonyms
  • Shirker
  • Slacker
  • Idler
  • Goldbrick (informal)
  • Layabout (chiefly British)
Antonyms
  • Worker
  • Hard worker
  • Diligent person
  • Stakhanovite (historical, denotes an exceptionally productive worker)
Related Phrases/Idioms
  • While not a phrasal verb, the behavior is often described with phrases like:
    • To skive off (British informal): To avoid work or duty.
      • He's always trying to skive off early.
    • To goldbrick: To shirk responsibilities.
      • He spent the afternoon goldbricking instead of filing the reports.
scrimshanker

A soldier is accused of being a scrimshanker by his sergeant.

Noun
  1. a shirker