The word "malingerer" is spelled with a combination of silent letters, making it a particularly tricky word to spell. The initial "m" and "a" are pronounced together as "ma", while the "l" is sounded in the middle. However, the "i" and "e" in the word are both silent. The word ends with "ngerer", pronounced as "ng-er-er", with the final "e" also silent. "Malingerer" means to pretend illness to avoid work or duty and is often used to describe someone who shirks their responsibilities.
A malingerer is an individual who deliberately feigns or exaggerates illness, injury, or other physical or mental ailments in order to avoid work, responsibilities, duties or obligations. This person adopts a façade of being unwell or incapacitated, often for personal gain or to elude unwanted tasks or commitments.
Typically, a malingerer will exhibit false symptoms or exaggerate existing ones in an attempt to manipulate situations or people around them. This behavior is usually driven by a desire to shirk responsibilities, avoid tasks they find unpleasant or burdensome, or seek benefits such as time off from work or attention and sympathy from others.
The act of malingering is often characterized by cunning and subtle deception, as the individual skillfully constructs an image of incapacity or distress. This may involve faking physical symptoms like pain or fatigue, or pretending to suffer from psychological conditions like anxiety or depression.
Identifying a malingerer can be challenging, particularly as they may go to great lengths to create a convincing narrative of their supposed incapacity. However, medical professionals and employers are trained to recognize signs of malingering through careful evaluation, observation, and rigorous diagnostic procedures. Such individuals may face consequences ranging from loss of trust to legal ramifications, depending on the context of their deceit.
One who feigns disease.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A soldier who feigns himself sick.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "malingerer" originates from the French term "malingre", which originally meant "ailing" or "sickly". It is derived from the Old French word "mal" meaning "ill" and "engre" meaning "slender" or "weak". Over time, the meaning of "malingre" expanded to encompass someone who feigns illness or acts as if they are unwell to avoid work or responsibility. In the mid-18th century, the term was anglicized into "malingerer" with the same connotation.