goldbrick
Goldbrick (noun) means something fraudulent or nonexistent offered for sale; a swindle or con.
Etymology
From gold + brick, originally (1850s) an actual gold ingot or brick, later a swindle that consisted of selling a putative gold brick, which was only coated in gold. The swindle is attested from 1879, the sense “to swindle” is attested 1902, and the sense “to shirk” is attested 1914, popularized as World War I armed forces slang. In early 1900s, used to refer to an unattractive young woman – not pretty, nor able to talk or dance (attested 1903), thence to refer to incompetent enlisted troops at the start of World War I, reinforced by the rank insignia of second lieutenants, which was a gold rectangle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of goldbrick?
"goldbrick" (noun) means something fraudulent or nonexistent offered for sale; a swindle or con.
What are the different meanings of goldbrick?
"goldbrick" has 2 main meanings: 1. Something fraudulent or nonexistent offered for sale; a swindle or con; 2. A shirker or malingerer.