boondoggle
[ boon-dog-uh l, -daw-guh l ]
/ ˈbunˌdɒg əl, -ˌdɔ gəl /
noun
a product of simple manual skill, as a plaited leather cord for the neck or a knife sheath, made typically by a camper or a scout.
work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy.
a project funded by the federal government out of political favoritism that is of no real value to the community or the nation.
verb (used with object), boon·dog·gled, boon·dog·gling.
to deceive or attempt to deceive: to boondoggle investors into a low-interest scheme.
verb (used without object), boon·dog·gled, boon·dog·gling.
to do work of little or no practical value merely to keep or look busy.
Origin of boondoggle
1930–35,
Americanism; said to have been coined by R. H. Link, American scoutmaster, as name
for def 1
OTHER WORDS FROM boondoggle
boon·dog·gler, nounWords nearby boondoggle
boomslang,
boomy,
boon,
boondocker,
boondocks,
boondoggle,
boone,
boone, daniel,
booner,
boong,
boonga
British Dictionary definitions for boondoggler
boondoggle
/ (ˈbuːnˌdɒɡəl) informal, mainly US and Canadian /
verb
(intr)
to do futile and unnecessary work
noun
a futile and unnecessary project or work
Derived forms of boondoggle
boondoggler, nounWord Origin for boondoggle
C20: said to have been coined by R. H. Link, American scoutmaster