pickthank

Definition

1. Noun (archaic):
   • A sycophant or flatterer: "pickthank" refers to a person who seeks to gain favor by insincere flattery or servile behavior, often by telling others what they want to hear.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The court was full of pickthanks who praised the king's every decision. (The court had many flatterers who praised the king insincerely.)
  • He was known as a pickthank, always agreeing with his superiors to win their approval. (He was a sycophant who flattered those above him.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play the pickthank": to act as a flatterer or sycophant.
  • She played the pickthank to her boss, constantly complimenting his work. (She acted as a flatterer toward her boss.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pickthank (adj): characterized by flattery or sycophancy.
  • His pickthank manner was obvious to everyone. (His flattering manner was clear to all.)

Synonyms

• Sycophant: a person who flatters others to gain advantage.
• Flatterer: someone who gives excessive praise.
• Toady: a person who behaves obsequiously to someone important.

Related Idioms

• To curry favor: to seek to gain advantage by flattery or attention.
  • He tried to curry favor with the manager by bringing him coffee every morning. (He tried to gain favor by serving the manager.)