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, noun

Words nearby boondoggle

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, noun

Word Origin for boondoggle

C20: said to have been coined by R. H. Link, American scoutmaster