paper pusher

Office form handler

A paper pusher is someone whose job consists mainly of paperwork and administrative tasks—filing, processing forms, shuffling documents.

The term is mildly derogatory, implying the work is tedious, unimportant, or disconnected from real productivity: I didn't go to law school to become a paper pusher.

It often contrasts with hands-on or decision-making roles.

Related

filing · paperwork · TPS report · cubicle · rubber stamp · red tape · office politics · forms · office drone · stapler · inbox · water cooler · mundane · tedious · shuffling · documents · white collar · secretary

Categories
Opposites
authority and decision-making power

paper pusherdecision-maker

One with choosing power

executive · leader · boss · power broker · mover and shaker

nature of work

paper pushercraftsman

Skilled manual worker

artisan · doer · first responder · maker · manual laborer

creative and strategic engagement

paper pushervisionary

Imaginative planner of futures

innovator · creative · trailblazer · strategist · entrepreneur

Family

paper, push, pusher, papers, papered, papering, papery, pushes, pushed

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G