Boondoggling: meaning, definitions and examples
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boondoggling
[ ˈbuːnˌdɔɡlɪŋ ]
political term
Boondoggling refers to a project or activity that is seen as wasteful or pointless, especially in the context of government spending or work. It often implies that the effort is not useful or productive, but is kept running for the sake of appearances or financial gain.
Synonyms
fiddling, inefficiency, squandering, wastefulness.
Examples of usage
- The local government was criticized for its boondoggling construction project.
- Many believed the conference was just a boondoggling event that wasted taxpayers' money.
- The senator spoke out against boondoggling in federal programs.
- They continued to fund the boondoggling initiative despite lack of results.
Translations
Translations of the word "boondoggling" in other languages:
🇵🇹 trabalho inútil
🇮🇳 अनुत्पादक कार्य
🇩🇪 Sinnlosigkeit
🇮🇩 pekerjaan sia-sia
🇺🇦 марнування часу
🇵🇱 bezsensowna praca
🇯🇵 無駄な作業
🇫🇷 travail inutile
🇪🇸 trabajo inútil
🇹🇷 gereksiz iş
🇰🇷 무의미한 일
🇸🇦 عمل غير مجدي
🇨🇿 zbytečná práce
🇸🇰 zbytočná práca
🇨🇳 无意义的工作
🇸🇮 neuporabno delo
🇮🇸 óþarfa vinna
🇰🇿 пайдалы емес жұмыс
🇬🇪 არამარტივი სამუშაო
🇦🇿 məqsədsiz iş
🇲🇽 trabajo inútil
Etymology
The term 'boondoggle' originated in the 1930s in the United States. It was initially used to describe a simple handcraft project that was made from scrap materials. The word is believed to have been coined by a Boy Scout leader named Robert W. McCulloch, who used the term to refer to leatherwork projects. However, its meaning evolved during the Great Depression when it came to symbolize government-funded projects that were deemed unnecessary or wasteful. Essentially, it became synonymous with government expenditure that seemed frivolous rather than beneficial. The term has maintained this negative connotation over the years, especially within political discussions regarding the allocation of public funds.