Flunkey

A flunkey is a person who performs menial tasks or services for another, typically out of a desire to please or gain favor. Often used to describe someone excessively obsequious or servile, a flunkey prioritizes the wishes of their superior, sometimes to a humiliating degree. The term carries a strong connotation of social inferiority and a lack of genuine agency. This subservient behavior might involve carrying out simple errands, offering unsolicited assistance, or echoing the opinions of those in authority. Historically, the term was associated with servants in aristocratic households, reflecting a hierarchical social structure.

Flunkey meaning with examples

• The wealthy socialite was surrounded by a team of flunkeys, each anticipating her every need. From opening car doors to holding shopping bags, they catered to her every whim, hoping to earn a generous tip and maintain their employment. This displays how the flunkeys were more focused on pleasing her than their own work.
• During the political rally, the candidate’s campaign manager relied on an army of flunkeys to distribute flyers and cheer on cue. They were meticulously organized and had no agency in their job. This constant subservience to the campaign was intended to portray a sense of enthusiastic support, even if the flunkeys' beliefs were irrelevant.
• In the corporate world, the ambitious junior executive was often accused of behaving like a flunkey towards his superiors. He consistently agreed with their ideas, regardless of their merit, and volunteered for every task, hoping to climb the corporate ladder by appeasing those in power. This highlighted his desperation.
• The eccentric billionaire, known for his outlandish demands, treated his staff like a group of flunkeys. They scrambled to fulfill his requests, no matter how trivial or bizarre, from sourcing rare exotic foods to organizing spontaneous trips to distant destinations. Their existence revolved around fulfilling his desires.