WORD OF THE DAY: Malfeasance

Rod Blagojevich, accused of malfeasance, went on Donald Trump's Apprentice to be humiliated by Victoria Secret's model Selita Ebanks [Getty Images]

Malfeasance: (n) The performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified or harmful; wrongdoing.

In a sentence:

GM: The CEO has told me we have to shut the hotel.

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Concierge: Why, what has happened, business has been good?

GM: Apparently we didn’t give a good enough rate to the mayor and when we asked him to leave for non-payment he took offence and has seen fit to shut us down.

Concierge: Can he do this?

GM: His many acts of malfeasance are well known. I should have let him stay.

Concierge: But sir, we have to stand up to the bullies of this world.

GM: But now we are closed, what good has it done us?

Concierge: One day he will get his comeuppance. I spit on the floor and swear on the hair of my favourite dog’s head I will seek vengeance on this man. And if I die trying, my son will take on the task and likewise through the linage of my family until our blood lust has ended on the corrupt mayor and his evil ways. But first, I must cut off the mayor’s horse’s head and put it in his bed.

GM: You really have to stop watching films about the mafia.

Concierge: It’s a weakness.