jobsworth
C2Informal, colloquial, chiefly British and Commonwealth English. Often pejorative or critical.
Definition
Meaning
A minor official who insists on following rules rigidly, especially to avoid taking personal responsibility or showing initiative, often resulting in obstruction or petty bureaucracy.
A person in a position of minor authority (e.g., a security guard, clerk, or administrator) who uses adherence to rules or procedures as an excuse to be unhelpful, inflexible, or obstructive, prioritizing procedure over common sense or service.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term implies a mindset where the person values the 'letter of the law' over the spirit of service or practicality, often to exercise petty power or avoid extra work. It suggests bureaucratic pettiness rather than just strict rule-following.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly a British and Commonwealth English term. In American English, similar concepts are described with phrases like 'petty bureaucrat,' 'by-the-book official,' or 'rule-bound functionary.' 'Jobsworth' itself is rarely used or understood in the US.
Connotations
In the UK: Strongly pejorative, suggesting obstruction, lack of common sense, and petty authority. It's a character stereotype in British culture. In the US: The term is largely unknown; if used, it would likely need explanation.
Frequency
High frequency in informal UK discourse. Very low to zero frequency in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
{subject (person)} is a real jobsworthDon't be such a jobsworthI got stopped by a jobsworth {who...}Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'It's more than my job's worth.' (The source phrase from which the noun 'jobsworth' is derived.)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically to describe obstructive administrative staff or gatekeepers.
Academic
Rarely used in formal academic writing; may appear in sociological or cultural studies discussing bureaucracy.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to complain about unhelpful officials, ticket inspectors, security guards, etc.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- He's got a real jobsworth attitude.
- The whole process felt very jobsworth.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The security guard was a real jobsworth and wouldn't let us in.
- I tried to explain the situation, but I was just talking to a jobsworth who kept pointing at the clipboard.
- The council's planning department is infamous for its jobsworth culture, where initiative is punished and blind adherence to obscure regulations is rewarded.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person at a job who says, 'I can't help you; it's more than my JOB'S WORTH to bend the rules.' That person *is* a jobsworth.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HUMAN IS A RULEBOOK (personified, inflexible). BUREAUCRACY IS AN OBSTACLE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as просто 'работник' (worker) or 'чиновник' (official). The key is the pejorative, obstructive nature. Consider phrases like 'бюрократ-формалист', 'мелкий клерк-буквоед', or the idiom 'манки-мент' (from 'манкурт' + 'мент') in very informal contexts to convey the spirit.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a compliment (it is always negative).
- Using it to describe a diligent worker (it describes obstructive behaviour, not diligence).
- Spelling as two words ('job's worth' is the source phrase, the noun is 'jobsworth').
Practice
Quiz
What is the key characteristic of a 'jobsworth'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from the British phrase 'It's more than my job's worth (to...),' which is what such a person might say to justify their refusal to help or make an exception.
It is always an insult or a criticism. It labels someone as petty, obstructive, and lacking common sense.
No, it is an informal, colloquial term. In formal contexts, use terms like 'inflexible bureaucrat' or 'overly pedantic official.'
Generally, no. It is a culturally specific British term. An American would likely need the concept explained, even if they understand the individual words 'job' and 'worth.'