Floyder

English

Etymology

From the actions of the Disney animator Floyd Norman.

Coined by colleagues at Walt Disney Studios in 2008, as a blend of Floyd +‎ loiter. Popularized by the 2016 documentary film Floyd Norman: An Animated Life.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈflɔɪdə(ɹ)/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈflɔɪdɚ/, [ˈflɔɪɾɚ]
• Rhymes: -ɔɪtə(ɹ)

Verb

Floyder (third-person singular simple present Floyders, present participle Floydering, simple past and past participle Floydered)

1. To stroll around aimlessly as an aid to creativity.
   • 2015 September 2, Jamie Greene, “Great Big Beautiful Podcast: Episode 26 - Floyd Norman”, in geekdad.com‎:

     Floyd continues to work for Disney on a freelance basis (as he prefers it) and can still be found Floydering around the Disney Animation campus.

   • 2016 - Will Ashton, Cut Print Film, Floyd Norman: An Animated Life

     His years of “floydering” (a verb coined by his non-employees) barely hold a candle to his vast professional accomplishments, especially within Disney’s historic walls. Will Ashton (25 August 2016), “Floyd Norman: An Animated Life”, in cutprintfilm.com‎, retrieved 31 July 2018

   • 2016, Noor Wazwaz, “At 81, Disney's First African-American Animator Is Still In The Studio”, in NPR:

     "I decided I didn't want to work at home," he says. "I missed the camaraderie of the big studio. I missed talking to people. I miss being around the action. And so ... I found an empty office and I moved in. I was probably in violation of some rule or law or whatever, but there I was." He continued to work in the office, and his colleagues affectionately coined the term "Floydering" — it rhymes with loitering — in his honor.
     
     NORMAN: So I guess my position is somewhat unique. I don't know what you would call me. Maybe I continue to floyder (ph) at Disney (laughter). Noor Wazwaz (26 August 2016), “"At 81, Disney's First African-American Animator Is Still In The Studio"”, in NPR.org‎, retrieved 31 July 2018

   • 2017 February 15, Monique Jones, “How The First Black Animator At The Disney Studios Became A Legend”, in Birmingham Times‎, Birmingham, Alabama:

     At 81 years old, Norman continues to “Floyder” by freelancing for Disney as a consultant and storyboard artist.