Bunburying

== English == === Etymology === From Bunbury +‎ -ing, coined by Oscar Wilde in The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) after Bunbury, the fictitious disabled friend of the character Algernon whose supposed illness is used as an excuse to avoid social engagements. === Noun === Bunburying (uncountable) (humorous) Avoiding one's duties and responsibilities by claiming to have appointments to see a fictitious person. ==== Related terms ==== Bunbury (verb) Bunburyist