bludge

American  

[bluhj] / blʌdʒ /

verb (used with object)

bludged, bludging

1. to shirk.

2. to impose on (someone).

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noun

1. an easy task.

bludge British  

/ blʌdʒ /

verb

1. to scrounge from (someone)

2. (intr) to evade work

3. archaic (intr) to act as a pimp

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noun

1. a very easy task; undemanding employment

Other Word Forms

• bludger noun

Etymology

Origin of bludge

1915–20; false analysis of bludgeon (v.) gives phrase bludge on to impose on; back formation from bludgeon (noun) gives bludge (v.) to use a bludgeon, whence bludger bully, especially a harlot's bully, pimp, hence shirker, whence bludge (v.) to shirk

Example Sentences

"What were you doing, you naughty children?" said Edith, as she wiped the "bludge" from Willy's lips, and found that it came from a very small scratch, while Janet was scarcely hurt at all.

From Harper's Round Table, June 25, 1895 by Various