to scrimshank

9.9

To avoid work or duties by pretending to be sick

verb
/ˈskrɪmʃæŋk/

Archaic

: escaquearse

Some workers were known to scrimshank by feigning illness when the supervisor was nearby.

Examples

Accused of trying to scrimshank his duties, the sailor faced strict punishment.
He would often scrimshank whenever there was heavy lifting to be done.
He tends to scrimshank when it's time to clean his room.
Don't scrimshank your responsibilities!
He would often scrimshank when it was time for the team meeting.
Some employees try to scrimshank their tasks by calling in sick.
Each time there was work to be done, he would scrimshank to avoid effort.

Synonyms

to malinger

vsto scrimshank

Formal

1 8.9

To pretend to be ill or hurt to avoid work

uses broader evasion methods beyond only feigning illness

to goldbrick

vsto scrimshank

Archaic

1 9.5

To avoid work by pretending to be busy

is a more neutral term covering evasion by illness or other means

to play the wag

vsto scrimshank

9.9

Pretend to be ill to avoid going to work or school

applies generally beyond school absences

to scumming around

vsto scrimshank

Offensive

9.9

To spend time doing very little and not do the work you should

focuses on evading duties not on immoral or dirty behavior

Antonyms

to engage

676 3.4

To take part in an activity

to fulfill

265 2.8

To do what is required or promised

How Idle

to scrimshank

Archaic

9.9

to shirk

19 6.3

to loaf

7 6.2

Surface Forms

scrimshank infinitive

scrimshanked past

scrimshanked past participle

scrimshanking present participle

scrimshanks third person singular

Etymology

Scrimshank is old sailors' slang for avoiding work. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the familiar word shirk, which means 'avoid work', because to scrimshank is to dodge your duties, often by pretending to be ill.