Who is lackey?

Who is lackey? Today the word has a negative connotation and is used when they want to say about a person in a negative way, emphasizing his servility, cringing. But has it always been like this? How was this token interpreted before? Learn more about who lackeys can be found in the article.

In the literal and figurative sense

The meaning of the word "lackey" in the dictionary says the following:

• Firstly, it is a historical term that in ancient times denoted a servant, footman, butler, batman, majordom.
• Secondly, it is used most often in a figurative sense, with an disapproving connotation, when they mean people who are servile, who serve the high ranks.
• Thirdly, the so-called device designed to remove street shoes. As a rule, it is a double-toothed fork on a stand. Sometimes it’s a fork on a perpendicular long handle. The back of the boot is inserted between the teeth of the fork and fixed there, after which you can take out your foot without damaging it and without contaminating the shoes.
• Fourth, the name of a Polish writer named Tadeusz, whose years of life are 1916-1985.

Further, other meanings of the word under study will be considered.

Geographical features

Among them there is a river and a number of settlements.

1. A small river flowing in the Perm region of Russia, in the western part of the Gaynsky district.
2. The village located in the Vologda region, Vozhegodsky district.
3. The village is located in the Ivanovo region, in the Yuzhsky district.
4. Another village in the Kirov region, in the Kumensky district.
5. Until 1960, the studied word was called a village in the Vladimir region, in the Vyaznikovsky district, which is now called Oktyabrskaya.

Continuing consideration of the question of who this is lackey, you need to talk about the origin of the word.

Etymology

Linguists failed to reliably establish the origin of the studied token. There is an assumption that it is related to such a noun as:

• sneak;
• impudent;
• sack (boy, boy).

And also the word is brought closer to:

• the noun "serf";
• the adjective "idle";
• the verb "groom".

There is also a connection with the Baltic-German chaluj, meaning "lackey", "servant". We also consider affinity with the dialect word “aluy”, which means “service”.

Dialect Tokens

As for a number of dialect words, we need to say about them separately.

So, in the Arkhangelsk dialect, the term studied is:

• a stone that sticks out in the river from under the water;
• a fishing pin.

At the same time, the meaning of “stone under water” most likely has the origin described above, but “stabbing” is akin to Finnish kolu. This word means a bunch of stones or a tool used by fishermen consisting of rods and piles.

In the Vyatka, Perm, Kolyma, Olonets dialects lackey is:

• garbage;
• sediment formed from spills in meadows;
• pile of logs, alluvial forest.

In this case, the word comes from the Finnish or Estonian kalu, meaning "trash."

There is a version that it is close:

• the Old Slavonic "halѫga", which means "fence";
• Serbo-Croatian "haluga", the meaning of which is "weed", "thicket";
• Slovenian halȯga, which translates as "brushwood", "bush".

Some researchers suggest the word is close:

• the dialect "crap" in the meaning of "wet snow";
• Old Indian cikhallas - “swamp”;
• Ossetian xului - "dampness."

There is another interpretation of the word under study. In the Tver dialect, lackey is feed for cattle with bran. It is assumed that there is a connection with the Estonian kõlu, which has such meanings as “empty, light grain”, “chaff”, “husk”. Some linguists derive their origin from the German Kleie, which translates as "bran."

Synonyms

Among them you can find, such as:

• slave;
• footman;
• servant;
• chelyadin;
• low worshiper;
• sneak;
• minion;
• servivist;
• minister
• took a sip;
• a sneak;
• six;
• servant;
• lysois;
• henchman;
• hangman;
• an errand;
• commoner;
• Cossack
• lizun;
• assistant;
• accomplice;
• a rock;
• rub.

In conclusion, we will talk about one of the folk crafts related to the word "lackey."

Lacquer miniature

In a village located in the Ivanovo region, which was mentioned above, there is a world-famous craft. According to the name of the village, the lacquer miniature is called Kholuy. It is performed on papier-mâché tempera. As a rule, craftsmen paint caskets, needle beds, egg capsules and similar small items.

At first, suburban craftsmen painted icons for the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the surrounding inhabitants. In 1934, an artel was formed for painting lacquer products. In 1937, a bronze medal was received at the World Exhibition. The main difference between the Kholuy miniature is the use of tones such as bluish-green and brown-orange. Products are in great demand in England, Italy, USA, Canada, Spain.