26 February 2013

boondoggle

[boon-dog-uhl, -daw-guhl]

noun, verb, boon·dog·gled, boon·dog·gling.

noun

1. 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.
2. work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy.
3. 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)
4. to deceive or attempt to deceive: to boondoggle investors into a low-interest scheme.
verb (used without object)
5. to do work of little or no practical value merely to keep or look busy.

Origin:
1930–35, Americanism; said to have been coined by R. H. Link, American scoutmaster, as name for def 1

Related forms
boon·dog·gler, noun

Today’s aphorism

You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.

– Johnny Cash

On this day

26 February 1829 – birth of Levi Strauss, German-born, American clothing manufacturer. Most notable for Levi jeans. Died 26 September 1902.

26 February 1932 – birth of Johnny Cash, American singer and musician. Died 12 September 2003.

26 February 1945 – birth of Peter Brock, Australian car racing legend. Died 8 September 2006.