Lackey
“Lackey” 是一个名词,指代那些卑躬屈膝、唯命是从的追随者,或者传统意义上的男仆(穿着制服的男佣人)。在现代语境中,它通常带有强烈的贬义,暗示一个人为了讨好有权势的人而放弃了自己的尊严。
- “He was dismissed as a mere lackey of the powerful corporation.” (他被斥为那家强大公司的卑微走卒。)
- “The dictator was always surrounded by his loyal lackeys.” (独裁者身边总是围着他那些忠实的奴才。)
- “In the old days, the wealthy family had several lackeys to attend to their needs.” (在过去,那个富有的家庭有几个男仆来照料他们的需求。)
该词起源于中古法语 “laquais”,最初指代步兵或仆人。其具体词源尚有争议,但通常与服务和追随有关。
无前缀和后缀。
在欧洲封建时代和近现代早期,“lackey” 是指穿着特定制服(livery)的男仆,常在马车旁奔跑或在大厅伺候。随着社会结构的演变,这个词逐渐演变成一个政治和社交隐喻,用来羞辱那些盲目听从上级指令的人。
- 固定搭配: “political lackey” (政治走卒), “corporate lackey” (公司奴才)
- 复数形式: lackeys
可以将 “lackey” 与 “lack”(缺乏)和 “key”(钥匙)联系起来:一个 “lackey” 缺乏自己开启成功之门的 “key”,只能依附于他人。或者联想 “flunky”(走卒)这个近义词。
“The king’s lackey followed him everywhere, holding his heavy cloak and never daring to speak unless spoken to. Despite his fancy uniform, everyone knew he was just a puppet of the crown.” (国王的仆人到处跟着他,帮他拿着厚重的斗篷,除非被问到,否则绝不敢开口。尽管他穿着华丽的制服,但大家都知道他只是皇室的一个傀儡。)