Mopery
/ˈmoʊpəri/noun
A state of lingering around aimlessly or in a gloomy, dejected manner.
Did you know?The word is best known from slang and legal humor, especially in the phrase “the crime of mopery,” a mock offense for hanging around with no clear purpose.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
English
mope
“To be dull, stupid, or spiritless; to move or sit about in a dazed, depressed way.”
16th Century
English
moping
“Languishing or hanging about in a dull, listless state.”
19th Century
English
mopery
“The condition or act of moping; aimless, gloomy loitering.”
Modern English
English
mopery
“A humorous or mock-formal term for aimless, dejected lingering.”