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scrimshanker

scrimshanker

9.9
A person who avoids work
  • noun
  • /ˈskrɪmˌʃæŋkər/
  • Offensive
translation icon : escaqueador
  • It's hard to get any work done when there's a scrimshanker on the team.

Examples

  • Everyone knew he was a scrimshanker who tried to dodge every unpleasant job.

  • He is known as a lazy scrimshanker in the office.

  • The army sergeant was tired of dealing with scrimshankers in his platoon.

  • Don't be such a scrimshanker!

  • The manager confronted the scrimshanker who always avoided his fair share of the workload.

  • In a group project, having a scrimshanker can slow everyone down and lead to frustration.

  • His reputation as a scrimshanker made it difficult for him to find work in such a competitive environment.

Synonyms

slacker
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
33 4.6

A person who avoids work and often does very little

is more general and not only about long term laziness
dodger
vsscrimshanker
20 7.9

A person who avoids duties and rules by lying or tricking others

covers avoiders generally without implying trickery
loafer
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
5 5.8

A person who avoids work and does very little

focuses on avoidance as an act rather than a lazy trait
idler
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
2 7.0

A person who avoids work and does very little

refers more widely to anyone who avoids duty or tasks
scut
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
2 9.9

A lazy person who does not help with work

is the neutral description for anyone avoiding duties
shirker
vsscrimshanker
1 8.0

A person who avoids work or responsibility, often by making excuses

is the broader label for anyone who avoids work or duty
goldbricker
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who avoids work by pretending to be busy

covers avoidance in general, not only excuse making
goldbrick
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
1 9.6

A person who avoids work by pretending to be busy

describes avoidance without the specific pretending behaviour
lazybones
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A person who avoids work and prefers to rest

is the neutral term for any person who avoids work
bludger
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who avoids work and does very little

is the standard descriptor without informal slang tone
skulker
vsscrimshanker
9.1

A person who avoids work by pretending to be ill

applies to avoiders regardless of their method
todger dodger
vsscrimshanker
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who avoids work or duties by making excuses

is the general term for avoiding work without casual tone
ditcher
vsscrimshanker
  • Informal
7.2

A person who often misses school or work on purpose

is broader, including avoidance by many other methods

Antonyms

600 1.0

A person employed to do physical or routine jobs

How Idle

malingerer
  • Formal
2 8.9
scrimshanker
  • Offensive
9.9
slacker
  • Offensive
33 4.6
loafer
  • Offensive
5 5.8

Surface Forms

scrimshanker singular
scrimshankers plural

Morphology

scrimshanker = scrimshank (transparent) = scrimshank + er

The noun is a regular agentive formation from the verb 'scrimshank' using the productive suffix '-er'.

Etymology

The word scrimshanker comes from old British slang and means a person who 'avoids work', and it is like the common word shirker. A helpful way to remember it is to picture someone quietly slipping away from a job, because a scrimshanker dodges tasks and duty.