Boondoggler: meaning, definitions and examples
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boondoggler
[ ˈbuːnˌdɒɡlər ]
wasteful project
A boondoggler is a project or activity that is seen as a waste of time, money, or resources, typically involving unnecessary or trivial work. The term is often used to describe government-funded projects that are considered to provide little or no value to the public.
Synonyms
boondoggle, fiasco, folly, waste.
Examples of usage
- Critics labeled the new bridge project a boondoggler.
- The committee's funding for the arts was seen as a boondoggler by some.
- He doubted the effectiveness of the boondoggler initiatives proposed by the council.
Translations
Translations of the word "boondoggler" in other languages:
🇵🇹 farsante
🇮🇳 धोखेबाज़
🇩🇪 Schwindler
🇮🇩 penipu
🇺🇦 шахрай
🇵🇱 oszust
🇯🇵 詐欺師
🇫🇷 escroc
🇪🇸 estafador
🇹🇷 dolandırıcı
🇰🇷 사기꾼
🇸🇦 محتال
🇨🇿 podvodník
🇸🇰 podvodník
🇨🇳 骗子
🇸🇮 prevarant
🇮🇸 svindlari
🇰🇿 алаяқ
🇬🇪 მატყუარა
🇦🇿 fırıldaqçı
🇲🇽 estafador
Etymology
The term 'boondoggle' originated in the 1930s in the United States. It first emerged as a slang word associated with the Boy Scouts, where it referred to a type of braided leather cord made from leftover materials. Over time, its meaning evolved to describe projects, particularly government-funded ones, that were deemed wasteful or unnecessary. The increase in federal spending during the Great Depression brought the term into popular discourse, as many people started to criticize certain public works as being inefficient or fraudulent. The word gained further traction during and after World War II as debates over government spending and projects intensified. Today, 'boondoggle' is commonly used to signify any activity or project that lacks value or utility, particularly in contexts involving wastefulness.