FLUNKYISM Meaning and
Definition
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Flunkyism, also known as flunkeyism, refers to the act or characteristic of displaying a servile and submissive attitude towards those in authority or those deemed to be of higher social status. It is a term derived from the word "flunky," which originally referred to a low-ranking servant or lackey.
Flunkyism often manifests as an exaggerated willingness to comply with the wishes or demands of superiors, irrespective of their reasonableness or ethical boundaries. It involves an excessive desire to please authority figures, often at the expense of personal integrity or independent thinking. Flunkyism may be driven by a fear of consequences, a need for approval, or a desire for upward mobility in a hierarchical system.
Individuals exhibiting flunkyism may be excessively deferential, obsequious, or sycophantic towards their superiors, consistently ignoring their own ideas, principles, or ethical beliefs in an attempt to curry favor or gain advantage. This behavior can create a power imbalance within an organization or group, undermining creativity, critical thinking, and the open exchange of ideas.
While flunkyism can be viewed as a survival mechanism in certain rigidly hierarchical environments, it often stifles personal growth and contributes to an unequal power distribution within society. Overcoming flunkyism requires individuals to cultivate a sense of assertiveness, self-confidence, and independent thinking, while promoting environments that value teamwork, mutual respect, and diversity of perspectives.
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The character or quality of a flunky.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for FLUNKYISM
- dlunkyism
- clunkyism
- vlunkyism
- glunkyism
- tlunkyism
- rlunkyism
- fkunkyism
- fpunkyism
- founkyism
- flynkyism
- flhnkyism
- fljnkyism
- flinkyism
- fl8nkyism
- fl7nkyism
- flubkyism
- flumkyism
- flujkyism
- fluhkyism
- flunjyism
Etymology of FLUNKYISM
The word "flunkyism" is derived from the noun "flunky", which originated in the mid-19th century. "Flunky" was originally a colloquial term used to refer to a male servant or lackey. It is believed to have emerged from the early 19th century British slang word "flunkey", which denoted a person employed to do menial tasks.
The suffix "-ism" is added to the base word "flunky" to form "flunkyism". The suffix "-ism" is often used to create nouns referring to a particular behavior, characteristic, ideology, or system. In the case of "flunkyism", it signifies the concept or practice of acting as a flunky or being subservient, obsequious, or overly deferential to those in positions of power.
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