Verb / Noun | Laziness / Idle Time
Encyclopedia of British Slang
DOSS
Verb / Noun | Mild | Laziness / Idle Time
DOSS Pronunciation: /d?s/ Part of Speech: Verb / Noun Severity Level: Mild Category: Laziness / Idle Time
Core Definition
To doss means:
To relax idly
To waste time
To lounge without purpose
It can also refer to sleeping cheaply (doss house).
Linguistic Origins
Possibly from Latin dorsum (back), implying lying down.
Entered British slang in the 19th century.
Usage Contexts
Weekend:
Just dossing about.
Student life:
Bit of a doss.
It signals inactivity.
Emotional Register
Doss is mildly critical.
But often humorous.
Final Assessment
Doss captures comfortable idleness.
Without ambition.
EXPANDED ENTRY 218
Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. He currently lives in Holloway, North London. Contact: [email protected]
