flunky

/ˈflʌŋki/

/ˈflʌŋki/

Other forms: flunkies

A flunky is someone who works obediently for another person. You might apply for a job as a personal assistant, only to realize during the interview that it's really a job as a flunky.

A flunky's job is to do whatever he or she is told to do, preferably without question, in a docile, dutiful way. A mob boss or other criminal mastermind might send flunkies out to do his dirty work, while in the old days a typical flunky was a footman or butler — a servant. This meaning comes from the Scottish flunkey, meaning "footman or liveried servant."

Definitions of flunky

1. noun

   a person of unquestioning obedience
   synonyms: flunkey, stooge, yes-man

   types:

   pushover

   someone who is easily taken advantage of

   type of:

   follower

   a person who accepts the leadership of another
2. noun

   one who works hard at boring tasks
   synonyms: drone, drudge, hack, hacker

   types:

   plodder, slogger

   someone who works slowly and monotonously for long hours

   type of:

   unskilled person

   a person who lacks technical training
3. noun

   a male servant (especially a footman)
   synonyms: flunkey, lackey

   type of:

   retainer, servant

   a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)