// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did "goofing off" say to productivity? You're always working against me.
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Goofing off is a North American slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected.
The Online Etymology Dictionary traces the word “goof” to derive from French “goffe” meaning “awkward” or “stupid,”. Alternatively it may also stem from Middle English goffen, meaning “to speak in a frivolous manner,” which itself may have come from Old English gegaf (“buffoonery”).[1]
Common obligations neglected in the course of goofing off include schoolwork, paid employment, social courtesies and the expectations of new relations. According to the National Day Calendar, “National Goof Off Day” is observed annually on March 22. [2] Goofing off at school is considered to be a regular behaviour in the Western world, which is engaged in by all students at one time or another.[3]
When goofing off occurs within the classroom, teachers can resolve the matter quickly by direct confrontation.[4] Employers may use wage premiums to discourage goofing off by their employees, although it is suggested that the effects of such incentives cause aging to have a negative effect upon earnings sooner than would be otherwise expected.[5] Goofing off has been shown to improve work or study in the right environments, and can relieve stress.[6][7] It may be a form of creativity and experimentation, providing useful learning experiences and discoveries.[8]
A 2007 study by Wayne H. Decker and Thomas Calo reported that men were more likely than women to describe “goofing off” as playing around at work, often comparing their work to sports. Women, in contrast, were more likely to view it as their responsibility to stay on task and regarded goofing off as unfair to their colleagues.[9] Some research has indicated that women tend to feel more guilt than men about taking time for themselves and so use breaks to become more organized.[10][11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Goof - Etymology, Origin & Meaning". etymonline. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ Calendar, National Day (2025-10-05). "NATIONAL GOOF OFF DAY - March 22". National Day Calendar. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ Robert Everhart (Spring 1982), "The Nature of "Goofing Off" among Junior High School Adolescents", Adolescence, 17 (65): 177–88
- ↑ John P. Fields, Classroom Management and Conflict Resolution: From "Goofing Off" to Violence in the Classroom (PDF)[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Kenneth V. Greene (October 1979), "Goofing off, Aging and Earnings", Southern Economic Journal, 46 (2), Southern Economic Association: 623–627, doi:10.2307/1057434, JSTOR 1057434
- ↑ Evans, Lisa (October 16, 2012). "3 Ways Goofing Off at Work Can Make Your Company More Innovative". Entrepreneur.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Rachel (29 March 2013). "Goofing off on company time? Go for it". CNN.
- ↑ Lara Honos-Webb (2005), The Gift of ADHD, Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, p. 105, ISBN 1-57224-389-9
- ↑ Decker, Wayne H.; Calo, Thomas J. (2007-02-14). "Observers' Impressions of Unethical Persons and Whistleblowers". Journal of Business Ethics. 76 (3): 309–318. doi:10.1007/s10551-006-9283-2. ISSN 0167-4544.
- ↑ Cynthia R. Shuster (2001), "Take Five:" Simplify (PDF), Ohio State University, archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-10
- ↑ C., Scott, James (1990). Arts of resistance : hidden transcript of subordinate groups. Yale University Press. OCLC 29348167.
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External links
[edit]- Goofing Off Archived 2007-10-18 at the Wayback Machine; by Paul Roberts; Psychology Today; Jul/Aug 1995.
- GPS Devices Catch Workers Goofing Off; NPR; 16 Nov 2007.
- Goofing Off In The Computer Age: Some Employers Crack Down On Use Of Company Computers; by Patrik Jonsson; CBS News; 18 Mar 2005.
- More Time on Task, Less Goofing Off; by Fred Jones, Ph.D; Education World; 18 Aug 2003.
- Home Office: Need Help Goofing Off? Dopey videos, weird pictures, and giant bugs Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine. By Steve Bass; PC World; 29 Dec 2004.
