lackey
/'læki/ Cách viết khác : (lacquey) /'læki/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A servile follower; a person who behaves obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage: A lackey is someone who acts in a subservient, fawning manner toward a person of authority or influence, often to receive favors or benefits.
- A uniformed male servant, especially a footman: Historically, a lackey was a male domestic servant, typically one who wore livery and attended to his master, often performing duties like opening doors or running errands.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Servile Follower):
- The corrupt official was surrounded by lackeys who would agree with anything he said.
- He was nothing more than a corporate lackey, doing the CEO's bidding without question.
- Noun (Historical Servant):
- In the 18th century, a nobleman's carriage would be preceded by his lackeys.
- The lackey in fine livery announced the arrival of each guest.
Advanced Usage and Connotations
- The term is strongly pejorative when used to describe a follower. It implies a complete absence of independence, dignity, or moral principle. The person is seen as being motivated solely by self-interest and a desire for reflected power.
- In modern usage, the "servant" meaning is largely historical or literary. The "servile follower" meaning is dominant and almost always used as a criticism or insult.
- "To play the lackey": To act in an obsequious, servile manner.
- He refused to play the lackey for the new management, even if it cost him his job.
Variants and Related Words
- Lackeyism (n, rare): The behavior or practice of a lackey; servile obedience.
- The culture of the organization was one of pure lackeyism.
- Footman (n): A male servant, equivalent to the historical "lackey" meaning.
- Flunkey (n): A variant spelling with identical meanings.
Synonyms
- Servile Follower Meaning: Sycophant, toady, yes-man, minion, flunky, stooge, puppet, hanger-on.
- Servant Meaning: Footman, manservant, valet, attendant.
Antonyms
- For "servile follower": Leader, independent, maverick, critic, adversary.
Idioms and Phrases
- "Lackeys and toadies": A phrase used to collectively describe a group of obsequious followers.
- The dictator was protected by a circle of lackeys and toadies.
- While not a phrasal verb, the construction "to act as a lackey for [someone]" is common.
- She was accused of acting as a lackey for the special interests.
Noun
- a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
- a male servant (especially a footman)