lickspittle

American  

[lik-spit-l] / ˈlɪkˌspɪt l /

Archaic, lickspit

noun

1. a contemptible, fawning person; a servile flatterer or toady.

---

lickspittle British  

/ ˈlɪkˌspɪtəl /

noun

1. a flattering or servile person

---

Etymology

Origin of lickspittle

First recorded in 1620–30; lick + spittle

Explanation

In your class or workplace, is there someone who's a lickspittle — a fawning toady who always flatters the teacher or boss, saying "Yes, ma’am" and "No, sir," and laughing at all the teacher's or boss's dumb jokes? A lickspittle is a derogatory term for someone who is obviously trying to get extra privileges by kissing up. English has several interesting names for such people, including bootlicker and apple polisher. Lickspittle is pretty old — from the 1600s — when it referred to someone who actually licked up the spit of their superior! Yuck! Calling someone a lickspittle is definitely not a compliment!

Example Sentences

A beat later, Perfidia barges into the office of lickspittle Col.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

Nobody likes a Quisling, or, at least, very few people would want to be seen as an eager lickspittle to tyranny.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2024

He was not even moved to protect his own lickspittle, the vice president, who was in the chamber when it was attacked.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2021

Lashing back, the Regent’s lickspittle ministers pressed libel charges and Hunt ended up serving two years in prison.

From Washington Post • May 29, 2019

The promise of gold had turned die Oldtowner into a shameless lickspittle.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• adulator