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merry men

British  

plural noun

  1. facetious a person's assistants or followers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of merry men

C19: originally, the companions of a knight, outlaw, etc

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That hit a peak last season when Hue Jackson and his band of merry men sunk the franchise to a 0-16 record.

From The Guardian • Dec. 21, 2018

Of course, to classify Levine’s band of merry men alongside the above list of legendary rock combos is a crock, or a poke at the concept of rockism.

From Slate • Sep. 28, 2018

No episode better exemplifies that than “Beyond the Wall,” where Jon Snow and his band of merry men venture, um, beyond the Wall in an extremely ill-advised plan to capture a wight.

From The Verge • Jan. 2, 2018

Robin Hood World premiere of Ken Ludwig’s comedy about the legendary hero of Sherwood Forest and his band of merry men.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2017

Robin Hood and his merry men discomfited the Sheriff of Nottingham.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner