National Lazy Day (yes, it’s real), arrives every August 10, offering a much-needed pause from our always-on world. This is your official permission to ditch responsibilities, ignore chores, avoid work, and fully embrace the art of relaxation. So, kick back, put your feet up, and savor a day of blissful inactivity. Feel free to celebrate! I’ve provided a list of helpful vocabulary to throw around when discussing the holiday with those who might need a greater understanding of the concept. (Both home and work options below.) Pro Tip: If you have already begun your celebration, you can always wait to read this post until tomorrow.
Fancy words for lazy:
Indolent: Avoiding work because you prefer a state of comfort.
Languid: Moving in a slow, peaceful, and unhurried way.
Torpid: Being very slow and inactive, like an animal sleeping.
Oscitant: Drowsy and yawning, showing a highbrow form of inattentiveness.
-Merriam-Webster
British words for lazy:
Layabout: An idle, lazy person who avoids physical or mental exhaustion or to try to get a job.
Skiver: Someone who avoids work or dodges their duties by trickery or playing hooky.
Work-shy: An adjective and noun style term used for someone who actively avoids doing any form of work.
-Cambridge
Traditional Slang and Nouns for Lazy:
Slacker: Someone who avoids work and effort.
Couch Potato: A person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down, watching TV.
Lazybones: A harmless, old-fashioned name for a lazy person.
Goldbrick: Someone who shirks duty or pretends to work.
Workplace Nicknames for Lazy:
KitKat: Used for someone who is always taking a break.
Sensor Light (or Motion Light): Describes a person who only starts working when someone in authority walks past.
Wheelbarrow: Someone who only moves or works when they are pushed.
E.T.: Refers to someone whose main goal all day is trying to “go home”.
Seaweed: Used for a worker who just floats around the office all day doing nothing.
Cordless: Describes someone who works unplugged or only functions for a couple of hours before dying out.
#1 Laziest Animal in the world: Pygmy Blue Tongue Lizard
Pygmy blue tongue lizards don’t enjoy interacting with the rest of the world, and they’re hyper-cautious about predation. The skittish pygmy blue tongues spend their lives hanging out in spider caves and don’t leave unless forced. For sustenance, they sit with their mouths open and wait for food to fall in. The same goes for water; they rely on raindrops landing on their tongues.
—
‘doing nothing is very hard. you never know when you are finished.’
-leslie nielsen, american actor
—
image credit: malta rabbit club
Discover more from I didn't have my glasses on....
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

I must have got the date wrong, as that is my day, every day! 😊
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 3 people
you are at professional level
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have honed my craft during 14 years of retirement. 👴
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh some of those words are quite aggressive. Not even passive aggressive but full on nasty.
Like Pete I have been perfecting the state of being. Though I would say I am languid which sounds lovely and fluid.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yes, languid has a nice sound to it as well as definition
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like I’ve been celebrating this one a lot lately. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
you were only pre-celebrating the holiday
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Good to know Beth 😁👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, the Pygmy Blue Tongue Lizard definitely wins first Prize … the epitome of laziness, Beth
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes, level 932 of laziness
LikeLiked by 1 person
ET is a fantastic workplace nickname 😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
it sure is
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been lazy for years and years
Now I know the reason why
Don’t you dare stop me now
You better not even try
LikeLiked by 1 person
perfect poem!
LikeLike
Perfection at last!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somebody stole my line — Perfection at last.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know! The pygmy blue tongue lizard is exceptionally lazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s next level of laziness
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still get raised eyebrows at work when I tell my colleagues to quit skiving and get cracking. Lol
Oscitant… now, this is a word I must use today.
Also.. I think I may just take the day off. 😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
They all work, but nice to take it to the next level –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course
LikeLike
I once looked up ‘lazy’ and there was my picture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Born Knowing – Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings
Pingback: Rebel – Helping You To Succeed
I was just commenting to a friend that I was putting off some big garden tasks, reading blogs instead. Your post came at exactly the right moment. Vindication!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, now you have backup , who are we not to celebrate a holiday?!
LikeLike
Oh, the was so Sweet!!! 👌
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I’m just being absolutely lazy today on vacation! 🤣 Perfect day for it apparently!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re a natural-
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can name one person for every workplace nickname
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so get that – i know most of these characters myself )
LikeLiked by 1 person
As much as I would love to participate in the non-festivities, unless I were deathly ill, my boss would take issue with me not working today. Oh, well…I’ll celebrate in spirit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think one of the terms for someone trying to well working, I think you might find one that would be a good fit. Scroll down and see if you find one.
LikeLike
Wait, what? I’m already more than 1/2 way through my day! Can I request a “do-over” day because I learned of this a smidge late???🤣❤️🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the spirit of being happily lazy, absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love ya! ❤️😘❤️
LikeLike
My kind of day! :-)
LikeLike
Not a bad holiday)
LikeLike
Aha! Just the excuse I need for the rest of the day.
LikeLike
Aha! Just the excuse I need for the rest of the day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops. Sorry. This was me trying to comment with a new tablet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
-)
LikeLike
Oops, my wife and I just walked ten miles through Napa valley vineyards…now I need a rest – and some wine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a lazy day for the two of you, you’re usually climbing three mountains in a typical day. Enjoy your rest.
LikeLike
Lots of fun words for lazy, but you weren’t so lazy today. Happy lazy day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m king.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A leader !
LikeLike
Lays there with it’s mouth open and hopes for the best. 😂 I know someone who might be part lizard. The photo of the bunny made me fall in love instantly. Such beauty. I would end up petting and kissing the rabbit until it probaly told me to go away and let her sleep. LOL What a sweet post, Beth. Just love it. And my day was super stressful. If only I had known it was Lazy Day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s always time to make up for it on another day, that’s a true lazy schedule-
LikeLike
Wheelbarrow and seaweed. 🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂🔥
LikeLike
OMG that is me every day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You go all in for the celebrations!
LikeLike
they are all ‘grandiose’ but the KitKat is really (for me) the best(est)…. thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a really good one !
LikeLike
I particularly love LANGUID. It’s one of those words which says it all in its prononciation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It absolutely does-
LikeLike
Oh no, I totally missed it fir this year but put it iny calendar for 2027, or maybe I can celebrate on the 11th?😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a late celebration at your leisure would be so appropriate
LikeLike
For the last few days I’m doing that. My feet, legs and ankles are aching so my doctor told me to take a rest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good plan and in the spirit of the holiday
LikeLike