An American slang term for someone who shirks their duties and avoids hard work — an idler, a shirker, a professional do-nothing. The term gained significant traction in military contexts during World War II to describe soldiers who found creative ways to avoid assignments. A goldbricker isn't necessarily incompetent; they're just strategically lazy, always finding ways to look busy without actually doing anything. The office equivalent of the person who's always 'just about to' start the task.
The sergeant had no patience for goldbrickers — if he caught you loafing, you'd be on latrine duty until further notice.
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(US, informal) A lazy person; an idler.
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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.
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