Definition of lackey

The word "lackey" originally referred to a maker of lac, a substance used in the production of Italian pottery. In the 16th century, Venetian glassmakers began using lac as a decorative element, and they employed workers to mix and apply it to their wares. These workers, known as "lacchioni," became synonymous with servility and fawning obedience due to their lowly social status and submissive nature. As the English language borrowed the word "lackey" from Italian in the mid-17th century, it initially retained its reference to the lacchioni. However, over time, the term's meaning shifted to signify a servant, often one of little intelligence, and eventually came to denote a servile and obsequious person, particularly one who performs menial or degrading tasks without question. Thus, today, "lackey" is used as a pejorative term to describe someone who blindly follows authority or is excessively subservient, often without regard for their own dignity or principles. Its etymology reflects the association of the word with the demeaning work undertaken by the original lacchioni, who were forced into menial jobs due to their low social standing and lack of opportunities.