Cumberduty (noun): A burdensome or undesirable task that one is repeatedly obligated to perform as a direct consequence of having previously demonstrated exceptional competence at it. It is an obligation that weighs on or hinders a person because of their own skill, trapping them in a repetitive and unrewarding role.
Etymology: A neologism combining the verb cumber, meaning to hinder or encumber, and the noun duty.
Etymology: A neologism combining the verb cumber, meaning to hinder or encumber, and the noun duty.
"The new office manager's attention to detail was initially praised, but it soon led to a cumberduty of tedious weekly reports that no one else was trusted to complete."
"After successfully streamlining the complex filing system, her victory turned into a cumberduty; she became the sole person responsible for managing and updating it."
"After successfully streamlining the complex filing system, her victory turned into a cumberduty; she became the sole person responsible for managing and updating it."
by Iron Condor October 20, 2025
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