slacking

Slacking is a verb meaning to spend time idly or to be less active or energetic than expected. It originates from the 19th‑century English word slack, which referred to something loose or unstrained, and was applied to a person's work habits. The noun form “slackness” was used in the early 20th century to describe a lack of diligence or a relaxed approach to work or study. In everyday usage the term is most common in workplace or academic contexts, where an employee or student may be described as slacking if they are not meeting productivity goals. The colloquial use of “to slack” also implies delaying tasks or procrastinating, a pattern that can lead to negative consequences such as reduced performance evaluations or strained professional relationships.

Social media and internet culture adopted the slang “slacking” to refer to periods of low activity or disengagement from a conversation or shared platform. In gaming communities, slacking may denote a player’s choice to play with lower intensity or engage less with group‑based objectives. Despite its casual tone, the term can convey derogation, as it is often used by supervisors, teachers, or peers to criticize an individual's effort level. The concept is related to similar terms such as “lazing,” “loafing,” and “idling.” In modern corporate lexicon, slack management refers to initiatives that aim to monitor and improve employee engagement and prevent slacking.