stooge

[ stooj ]

noun

1. any underling, assistant, or accomplice.
2. an entertainer who feeds lines to the main comedian and usually serves as the butt of the jokes.

verb (used without object)

, stooged, stoog·ing.

1. to act as an underling, assistant, or accomplice.

stooge

/ stuːdʒ /

noun

1. an actor who feeds lines to a comedian or acts as his foil or butt
2. slang.
   someone who is taken advantage of by another

verb

1. slang.
   to act as a stooge
2. slang.
   foll byabout or around (esp in the RAF) to fly or move about aimlessly

Word History and Origins

Origin of stooge¹

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of stooge¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Other speakers suggested that Barack Obama himself had become a stooge of the Islamists, or possibly even a closet Muslim.

From The Daily Beast

But I can't get my head around how Sean Penn would have been an effective Stooge.

From The Daily Beast

There is a perceived danger in hiring foreign firms, a fear of being seen as a Western stooge.

From The Daily Beast

The more Lamb thought of it, the more he was convinced he couldn't have dreamed up a better stooge.

From Project Gutenberg

If the contest was a part of the day's program, no spectator seemed willing to play "stooge" in this preliminary performance.

From Project Gutenberg

The papers said that the steel necktie worn by my stooge at the theatre had to be cut off by a water-cooled electric saw.

From Project Gutenberg

And see how he managed to slide in that bit about corruption, right before his stooge handed him that bulletin?

From Project Gutenberg

You were another perfect stooge, from Grady's point of view.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fall guy
• lackey
• pawn
• puppet