malingerer

American  

[muh-ling-ger-er] / məˈlɪŋ gər ər /

noun

1. a person who pretends to be sick, especially in order to avoid work or shirk responsibilities.

   Don’t reinforce the misguided perception that injured workers are just malingerers looking for a "paid vacation."

---

Etymology

Origin of malingerer

First recorded in 1755–65; from French malingre “sickly,” of uncertain origin (perhaps from mal “badly” + obsolete haingre, heingre “lean, skinny”) + -er ¹ ( def. )