As nouns the difference between houseboy and lackey
is that houseboy is a male domestic servant while lackey is a footman, a liveried male servant.
As a verb lackey is
to attend, wait upon, serve obsequiously.
houseboy
English
Alternative forms
* house boy
Noun
(
en noun)
A male domestic servant.
lackey
English
Alternative forms
* (verb only)
Noun
(
en noun)
A footman, a liveried male servant.
A fawning, servile follower; a lickspittle.
Derived terms
* lackey caterpillar
* lackey moth
Verb
(
en verb)
To attend, wait upon, serve obsequiously
* Milton
- A thousand liveried angels lackey her.
(obsolete) To toady, play the flunky
References
* "lackey."
Online Etymology Dictionary. 2008