A person receiving a salary for a job that exists only nominally, or that requires little or no work, and which has been awarded through patronage, nepotism, or to ensure political allegiance.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Tri City Herald (Washington).
Definition of ghost payroller in US English:
ghost payroller
noun
US informal, depreciative
A person receiving a salary for a job that exists only nominally, or that requires little or no work, and which has been awarded through patronage, nepotism, or to ensure political allegiance.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Tri City Herald (Washington).