Layabout

Layabout

Noun · /ˈleɪ.ə.baʊt/

Definition

A person who is habitually lazy and does not work; someone who idles away their time without useful occupation.

Origin

From lay about (to lounge around, to lie about idly) — the compound formed from lay (to recline) + about (around, in a casual or vague manner). Used in British informal English from the early 20th century. Also related to the phrase to lay about one (to strike out in all directions), though the layabout noun derives from the idleness sense.