placeman

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

English place

Proto-Indo-European *mon-

Proto-Germanic *mann-

Proto-West Germanic *mann

Old English mann

Middle English man

Middle English -man

English -man

English placeman

From place + -man.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpleɪsman/, /ˈpleɪsmən/

Noun

placeman (plural placemen)

1. (UK politics, derogatory) One appointed to an office, especially in government, as a reward for political or other support; an appointee, a yes-man.
   • 2007, Christopher Brookmyre, Attack of the Unsinkable Rubber Ducks, →ISBN, page 183:

     Plus, contrary to hysterical prediction and uninformed innuendo, Bryant Lemuel's influence did not fill this pilot project with compliant placemen, instead leaving all appointments to the university science faculty.

   • 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge, published 2008, page 32:

     Predictably, the brow-beaten Clement in the end submitted to Philip's demands that the papal commission, which was eventually convened in November 1309, should consist predominantly of clerics who were known to be royal placemen.

Derived terms

• placemanship