goldbrick
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A shirker or malingerer.
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Mac, there’s not a confounded thing wrong with you. You are an excellent physical specimen and in good health. You’re nothing but a goldbrick. Now, get your butt out of here and don’t ever come back again unless you’re really sick or need an immunization.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A swindler.
Register: dated, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “goldbrick” mean?
A shirker or malingerer.
Is “goldbrick” formal or informal?
goldbrick is generally dated, slang.