flunkyism

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."

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flunkyism, flunkeyism

1. the quality or state of being a servant or toady.
2. behavior typical of flunkyism. — flunky, flunkey, n.

See also: Behavior