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Houseboy vs Lackey - What's the difference?

houseboy | lackey |

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