goldbrick
Something fraudulent or nonexistent offered for sale; a swindle or con.
Definitions
#1·Apr 27, 2026
Something fraudulent or nonexistent offered for sale; a swindle or con.
Origin: From , originally (1850s) an actual gold ingot or brick, later a swindle that consisted of selling a putative gold brick, which was only coated in gold. The swindle is attested from 1879, In early 1900s, used to refer to an unattractive young woman – not pretty, nor able to talk or dance (attested 1903), thence to refer to incompetent enlisted troops at the start of World War I, reinforced by the rank insignia of second lieutenants, which was a gold rectangle. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Was this helpful?
Comments
#2·Apr 27, 2026
(US, slang, dated) A shirker or malingerer.
Was this helpful?
Comments
#3·Apr 27, 2026
(US, slang, dated) A swindler.
Was this helpful?
Comments
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "goldbrick".
🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "goldbrick" (G)
golandausego largegolazogoldarngoldarnitgoldbackgoldbrickerGold Codegold coinGolden Age of Televisiongolden birthdayGolden Circle
Browse all slang words starting with G.