"Procrastinate"

pro·cras·ti·nate
v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates
v. intr. To put off doing something, especially out of habitual
carelessness or laziness.
v. tr. To postpone or delay needlessly.

Something we all do, I'm sure. But it's time for another bogus etimological study of a word! This one is real simple: Procrastination, usually, is associatively a bad thing. We think "Why am I watching five episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise instead of reading my political philosophy?" Or, whatever it is we do: spin aimless in a whirly chair, doodle, listen to music or, heaven forbid, turn on MSN Messenger and start a conversation. Who knows where that could lead you?

But really, are these thing bad? In relation to getting work done, you might think so. But, take a look at the word "procrastination." It starts with the letters "pro."

pro
adv. on the affirmative side [ant: con]

How then can procrastination be a bad thing?