Based on the proposal of discussing the meanings of the term occupation and the implications for occupational therapy, from the point of view of future professionals, qualitative study was undertaken, using as the focus group, with the saying "empty head, devil's workshop" as provocative discussion. The research involved 26 undergraduate students of Occupational Therapy. The data, analyzed through discourse analysis, pointed out discursive regularities which have outlined three categories: (1) leisure, free time, (2) values associated with the occupation and (3) occupation and Occupational Therapy. For students this term was valued positively when coupled TO the proverb, however, rejected when associated TO Occupational Therapy. The rejection of the association of the term to preclude the occupa tional therapy profession in the public domain, common sense and points in the direction of a demarcation in the scientific discourse.
proverbs; occupational therapy; occupation; leisure; idleness