Lackey
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A '''lackey''' is a manservant, in its original meaning (attested 1529, according to the ''OED''), which derived from Medieval French language|French ''laquais'' "foot soldier, footman, servant." The modern connotation of "servile follower" appeared later, in 1588 (''OED'').
In the 20th century rhetoric of some Communist groups, it was used as a derogative word in phrases such as "lackey of Capitalism" or "lackey of the bourgeoisie". What is implied is that the person to which the term is applied, while not himself a member of the bourgeoisie or not deriving high benefits from Capitalism, is still subservient to their goals. Such insults are, in particular, applied to leaders of left-wing parties that seek accommodations with the current economic or social system, or to any leader suspect of doing so.
The term was so over-used that it developed ironic overtones by the end of the century.
Lackey is also a surname, spelled variously as Lackey, Lecky, Lakie, and Leckie, believed to have originally meant "one who lives at the foot of the stony hills." It appears to be related to a Gaelic word for stone, ''leac''. There is some question over whether it is a coincidence that this word appears in other languages, or whether these are secondary meanings resulting from a political action taken by a person of that name. Since Lackey is said to be a http://www.clangregor.org/macgregor/septs.htmlaffiliated with Clan MacGregor, there may be something to this supposition.
See also
Social-traitor. |