THE FIRST WORD

malinger

PRONUNCIATION:

(muh-LING-guhr) 

MEANING:

verb intr.: To feign illness in order to avoid work.

ETYMOLOGY:

From French malingre (sickly). Earliest documented use: 1820.

USAGE:

"Generally, staff did not malinger. Staff earned every penny they were paid by working seriously at their jobs. They appeared to enjoy their work and looked forward to being at work."
Azubike Uzoka; Growing Up, Growing Old; iUniverse; 2011.