[kisielk]

Endorsements serve a purpose for LinkedIn. They keep users coming back to the site when they receive the "X has endorsed you for Y" emails.

You can tell endorsements are mostly for LinkedIn's benefit when you notice they don't even expose them in their API.

[kosei]

Yep. Endorsements are very clearly built as a LinkedIn engagement and retention feature.

[hvass]

I think people are able to endorse you for anything. The more keyword-rich a profile is, the better targeted the advertising. ;-)

[RegW]

Yes. Endorsing your friends for the most bizarre thing you can think of, is always great fun.

Never accept an endorsement for anything boring like work.

[jlarocco]

My favorite is "Problem Gambling." I don't even know why it'd be in their list of endorsable things.

[gergles]

Counselors can specialize in treating gaming addictions.

[corin_]

I'm gay, and a friend and former colleague went through a period of regularly endorsing me with anything that sounded at all that could sound either camp or gay. I can't seem to figure out how to find them now, and off the top of my head the only one I can think of is Pearl (I'm not a programmer, and I doubt he even knows Pearl is there as a programming language). Meanwhile I'd return the favour with anything that hinted towards the fact that he's a massive pervert.

Was great fun for a while, and the only use I've ever had from endorsements, which I've now completely disabled.