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Word for someone who does not like/want to get a job or do anything in life?

English Language & Usage Asked by Duck on January 3, 2021

In Portuguese, my native language, we have a lot of words for this kind of person, like mandrião, calaceiro, calaça, indolente, malandro, etc. We have also lighter words like preguiçoso that is the equivalent to "lazy" in English, but lazy has other meanings and can be used to someone that does things at low speed.

What words are there in English that have more aggressive power than "lazy", to call a person like that? I thought loser but that has other meanings as I see.

8 Answers

From Wikipedia on Hobo:

Unlike "tramps"—who work only when they are forced to, and "bums"—who do not work at all, "hobos" are itinerant workers.

I think bum is the ideal word you want without sounding antiquated or too harsh. If you are looking for harsh, I'd go with "useless waste of space."

Correct answer by Anthony on January 3, 2021

Theres an acronym that describes them: NEET

Not in Employment, Education or Training

Answered by user93145 on January 3, 2021

In Northern Ireland we would call them "Lead swingers".

Answered by user82505 on January 3, 2021

In Australia he'd be a dole-bludger.

Answered by Alan Wood on January 3, 2021

a procrastinator

To procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

Answered by Sergey K. on January 3, 2021

Actually this is difficult. At the moment we deride people who don't work.
They are slackers, benefit scroungers, parasites (on society?) - the language is aggressive & hate filled (filthy dossers) - but, of course, not so long ago, not working was a badge of honour. The much loved Bertie Wooster had a London flat & a valet (Jeeves). He had no intention of working but the Wodehouse novels are still in print nearly 100 years later ("My Man Jeeves" was published 1n 1919).

So, the unemployed Wooster was a 'Playboy' or a 'Gentleman of Leisure' (although, in Moscow, in 1919, his status would have been unequivocal).

Answered by dmk on January 3, 2021

Consider:

I would call him aimless, lazy saint, dependent.

Answered by user72862 on January 3, 2021

Such a person is referred to as an "Idler" or a "Loafer".

He is a person who avoids work or spends time in an aimless or lazy way.

Answered by Veronica Diamond on January 3, 2021

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