Word of the Day – Sycophant

Sycophant (noun)

si-ko-fant

A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.

Mid 16th century (denoting an informer): from French sycophante, or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs ‘informer’, from sukon ‘fig’ + phainein ‘to show’, perhaps with reference to making the insulting gesture of the ‘fig’ (sticking the thumb between two fingers) to informers.

Example sentences

“His followers are just sycophants and shysters.”