Oprah syndrome

Posted by ESC on January 29, 2000

Oprah syndrome -- the desire to ditch work and watch TV all day.

I found that expression in a "Consumer Reports," February 2000, article about workers compensation(the U.S. program that pays for medical care and lost income if a person is injured on the job). The article states: "Employers and insurers, says Jeffrey Biddle,a Michigan State University economics professor, sometimes assert that workers-comp claimants are afflicted with an 'Oprah syndrome' -- the desire
to ditch work and watch TV all day." Oprah referring to a popular daytime talk show.

I must add that actually the focus of the article was on people who are disabled following on-the-job injuries but are "jerked around" (another American expression) by insurance companies.

• Oprah syndrome Ben Gambit