welfare bum
- noun
- /ˈwɛlˌfɛr bʌm/
- Slur
:
vividor
- She refused to let anyone label her a welfare bum, despite her circumstances.
Examples
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The politician was criticized for calling unemployed citizens welfare bums during his speech.
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The media portrayal of welfare bums often contributes to negative stereotypes about the poor.
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He is often called a welfare bum by his neighbors.
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Many people unfairly label others as welfare bums.
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The politician was criticized for calling unemployed citizens welfare bums during his speech.
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Many people unfairly label others as welfare bums when they don't understand their situation.
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The media portrayal of welfare bums can reinforce damaging stereotypes about those in need.
Synonyms
58
7.1
A person with no home who often asks for money
An insulting name for a person who cheats to get government help
A person who lives on government benefits and does not try to find work
How Accusatory
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'welfare' (government aid) + 'bum' (idle, contemptible person) yields someone who relies on welfare and is perceived as lazy or abusing the system. While the expression is derogatory and its sociopolitical connotations may require cultural knowledge, a B1 learner who knows both constituents will grasp the basic pejorative sense.
Etymology
Welfare bum combines welfare (government money to help people) and bum (a rude word for a lazy or homeless person). This image of someone who lives on help and does not work is why the phrase is a 'rude' way to say someone relies on benefits.