doss meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

doss

verb

UK /dɒs/ · /dɑs/

Etymology Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”).

Ireland, UK To avoid work, shirk, etc.

Australia, UK, Slang To sleep, especially in the open or in a makeshift bed, commonly in a derelict building because one is homeless.

I normally have to doss in shop doorways or on park benches.
"You can doss on the floor.1913, Norman Lindsay, A Curate in Bohemia, Sydney: N.S.W. Bookstall Co., published 1932, page 169:

noun

Etymology Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”).

Ireland, UK, Slang The avoidance of work.

Ireland, UK, Slang An easy piece of work.

Ireland, UK, Dated, Slang A place to sleep in; a bed.

Ireland, UK, Broadly, Dated, Slang Sleep.

adj

Etymology Perhaps from Latin dorsum (“the back”), i.e. what one lies on when sleeping; perhaps from English dialect doss (“a hassock”).

Scotland Useless or lazy. Generally combined with expletive noun, especially cunt.

Get a hauld o yersel, ya doss cunt!
Convinced it's no bullshit, the doss cunt dismisses the session. Ah walk tae freedom; perr auld Spud gits taken doon.1993, Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting, Times Film School, page 68:

Scotland Good, desirable.

Related terms: doss about, doss around, doss down, doss-house, doss off, dosser

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.