In order to effectively use the "I'm sick" excuse you have to make a couple of test runs. That is, you have to practice the "sick voice" before making the actual phone call.
Personally, my two decades in corporate America, I never used my children as an excuse to take the day off. It would not sit well with me to say a child was sick when she really wasn't. However, people use this excuse all the time to miss work.
A trip to the DMV is usually an all day affair. It does appear though, in the past few years the Department of Motor Vehicles has increased its speed somewhat, but the organization is still nationally defined as being slow. Therefore the DMV excuse still works.
Men do not have the luxury of using the "cramping" excuse to miss work. This is strictly for the ladies. Whether your boss is male or female, it's a solid excuse that works like a charm.
Diarrhea as an excuse to miss work is somewhat embarrassing but effective. Your manager would not dare question you about it because she definitely would not want to hear the details. Just be prepared for the crappy looks you get when you return to work (pun intended).
Nice list of excuses. Fortunately, I don't have to use these excuses anymore since my hours are pretty flexible. Well done.
I like your list, may I borrow one or two? :)
select one here...