Pronunciation: [flˈʌŋkiəst] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "flunkiest" might seem confusing at first glance. The IPA phonetic transcription can help explain why it is spelled this way: /ˈflʌŋkiəst/. The "fl" sound is followed by the "u" sound, which makes the "l" almost silent. The "nk" sound is followed by the "i" sound, and then the "es" sound at the end makes it a superlative form. "Flunkiest" means the most likely to fail or the lowest grade.
The word "flunkiest" is derived from the noun "flunky", which originated in the 19th century. "Flunky" originally referred to a liveried servant or lackey, someone who performed menial tasks for their superiors. It is believed to have originated from the Dutch word "vlaecken", meaning "to flaunt" or "to show off". Over time, "flunky" came to also refer to someone who acted subserviently, fawning over others in order to gain favor or advantage. The term "flunkiest" is the superlative form of this noun, meaning the most subservient or obsequious.
