featherbed
Meaning
a mattress stuffed with feathers
to provide with more staff or resources than is necessary or efficient, often for political or social reasons
Structure
Usage
the old inn promised a luxurious night's sleep on a genuine featherbed.
the company was accused of featherbedding the department with unnecessary hires.
she sank into the soft featherbed and was asleep in moments.
Etymology
the word 'featherbed' is a transparent compound from old english elements. 'feather' derives from proto-germanic feþrō, related to the covering of birds, while 'bed' comes from proto-germanic badją, meaning a sleeping place. the literal combination, a bed stuffed with feathers for comfort, dates to middle english. the modern verb sense, meaning to pamper or overstaff, is a metaphorical extension from the 20th century, evoking the idea of providing excessive, cushy comfort in an organizational context.
Analysis
feather (old english; the light covering of a bird) + bed (old english; a piece of furniture for sleeping)