A goldbricker is a term used to describe an individual or situation in which some effort is made to pass off something of limited worth for something that is considerable more valuable. As it relates to an individual, the term is usually applied to someone who is creating an illusion of being productive but in fact is accomplishing very little. When applied to a situation, goldbricking often involves the adding some elements that create a perception of worth by enhancing appearance in a deliberate attempt to deceive.
The colorful reference to goldbricking comes from an old practice of taking bricks made from various materials and coating them with some type of gold product. The idea was to provide the illusion that the bricks were actually made of solid gold, conveying a sense of wealth and opulence. Over time, the term was expanded for use in reference to just about any situation in which the illusion of value was projected without there being any real evidence of that value. For example, a home that has received considerable attention in terms of a new paint job on the exterior and the creation of an attractive landscaping in the yards, but has rather severe problems in terms of the plumbing, wiring, and foundation could be considered a goldbricker.
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