lurgy Definition

lurgy
lurgi
noun lurgies

1. originally
A highly infectious non-specific disease.
Example: caught the dreaded lurgy
2a. now
Any illness that is not very serious;
Example: There's a ‘flu lurgy going about
2b. now
Anything that can be perceived as a scourge or burden.
Example: that dreaded lurgy, marijuana

Etymology: 1950s: although it is generally believed that this was first coined in the radio show, The Goons, there is slight etymological evidence that dialectal variations of it already existed, eg fever-lurgy a euphemism for ‘laziness'.