fainéant

Fainéant is a French adjective and noun that describes someone who is lazy, idle, or indolent. It carries a strong connotation of being disinclined to work or exert oneself. As a noun, it can refer to a person who habitually avoids effort. The term is often used in a somewhat critical or dismissive manner, highlighting a lack of ambition or drive.

The concept of the fainéant king, or roi fainéant, is a specific historical usage in France. This term was applied to the Merovingian kings of the 7th and 8th centuries who, after a period of decline in their power, were largely ceremonial figures. Real authority was often held by the Mayors of the Palace, making the kings "do-nothing" monarchs. This historical context emphasizes a state of powerlessness and inactivity associated with the term.

Beyond its historical application, fainéant remains a common word in French to describe individuals who prefer leisure over labor. It can also be used humorously to describe a temporary state of wanting to do nothing. The word's origin is thought to be from the Latin "falen" meaning to fall or to be weak, and "neans" meaning nothing, suggesting a complete lack of energy or will.