Boondoggle Meaning and Definition
Boondoggle
Pronunciation
/ˈbʊndəɡəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A wasteful or unnecessary expense or project, often government-funded, that is used as a means of enriching a particular individual or group rather than serving a legitimate public purpose.
Examples
- The new airport project was seen as a boondoggle, with many questioning its value to the local economy.
- The company spent millions on a boondoggle marketing campaign that didn’t generate any significant sales.
Synonyms
- Waste
- Efflux
- Mistake
Antonyms
- Fruitful
- Beneficial
- Effective
Additional Information
Boondoggles can take many forms, from unnecessary infrastructure projects to lavish government contracts. They often result in waste, inefficiency, and a lack of accountability.
The term “boondoggle” is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, possibly as a corruption of the Tagalog word “bundók”, meaning “a worthless or inferior thing”. Since then, it has become a common term in American English to describe wasteful or ineffective government spending.
Etymology
The word “boondoggle” is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, possibly as a corruption of the Tagalog word “bundók”, meaning “a worthless or inferior thing”.
Usage Notes
The term “boondoggle” is typically used to describe government-funded projects or initiatives that are considered wasteful or ineffective. However, it can also be used more broadly to describe any unnecessary or inefficient expense or project.
Cultural References
The term “boondoggle” has been featured in several popular TV shows and movies, including “The Simpsons”, “Parks and Recreation”, and “The Office”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
There is no specific idiomatic expression or phrase that incorporates the term “boondoggle”, but it is often used in context with other phrases such as “waste of time” or “useless project”.
Related Words or Phrases
Some related words or phrases to “boondoggle” include “waste”, “inefficiency”, “ineffectiveness”, “mismanagement”, and “corruption”.
Collocations
Some common collocations with the term “boondoggle” include “government boondoggle”, “megaproject boondoggle”, and “corporate boondoggle”.
F-frequency of Use
The term “boondoggle” is relatively rare, but it has gained popularity in recent years due to increased scrutiny of government spending and the rise of populist anti-government sentiment.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of “Boondoggle” include “Bondooggle”, “Boondiggle”, and “Bunadoggle”.