flunkey (redirected from flunkeys)

flun·ky also flun·key  (flngk)

n. pl. flun·kies also flun·keys

1. A person of slavish or unquestioning obedience; a lackey.

2. One who does menial or trivial work; a drudge.

3. A liveried manservant.

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[Scots, perhaps from flanker, an attendant at one's flank.]

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flunky·ism n.

Word History: The word flunky has come into Standard English from Scots, in which the word meant "liveried manservant, footman," coming at least by the 19th century to be a term of contempt. The word is first recorded and defined in a work about Scots published in 1782. The definition states that a flunky is "literally a sidesman or attendant at your flank," which gives support to the suggestion that flunky is a derivative and alteration of flanker, "one who stands at a person's flank."

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	flunkey - a male servant (especially a footman) flunky, lackey servant, retainer - a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
	2.	flunkey - a person of unquestioning obedience stooge, yes-man, flunky follower - a person who accepts the leadership of another pushover - someone who is easily taken advantage of