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A word that means "non-work related" pursuits?

Posts: 1815
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(@martha-barnette)
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Joined: 18 years ago

Hi there! I'm a part-time worker at my job, but sometimes I will go to my office to use my computer to work on other things.

I'm always annoyed that there isn't a better way to describe this stuff than to say, "I'm working on non-work related things."

I know about "extra-curricular". Technically, a second definition of that includes work outside of your profession, but every time you use that word people say, "Doesn't that mean outside of *school* pursuits?" And, thus, I still know no easy way to say that you are working on things not related to your profession.

Do YOU know one? Thanks!

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Posts: 1815
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Topic starter
(@martha-barnette)
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Joined: 18 years ago

Andyman, you might be interested in the discussions here on the forum about the term "g-job."

OTOH, I'm not sure that's exactly the word you want. Anyone? Anyone?

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(@Anonymous)
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Friends and I have taken Oscar Wilde's “Bunburying” and used it [a little differently] in a manner similar to what you're looking for. Originally, of course, Wilde used it to describe his character Algernon's excuse to leave town on a whim on the grounds that he was caring for a [imaginary] sick friend. I like using it because it not only gets across that your doing something you're not supposed to, but also includes built-in justification for your acts. So the next time you're doing something inappropriate for work while at work, you can just explain that you're Bunburying.

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Posts: 1815
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Topic starter
(@martha-barnette)
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Joined: 18 years ago

Hey! I like "g-job", and I especially like the idea of using a sort of funny, tongue-in-cheek word like Gmlile's idea, "bunburying". Although I must confess, as much as I enjoy word-play, it'd be best if there were a word that wouldn't require a lengthy explanation about government jobs or, even better, trying to describe Oscar Wilde to passersby at my office desk. 🙂

Anyone else have an idea? If there isn't one...what do we do?!!

Anyone have ideas for a new word?

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Posts: 1815
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Topic starter
(@martha-barnette)
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Joined: 18 years ago

Heh. I do like "Bunburying." Sounds official enough that you can almost get away with it. (Kind of like perendinating.) 🙂

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