English Explanatory Dictionary

whipping boy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A boy who was whipped in the stead of a misbehaving prince in early modern Europe.
  2. Someone punished for the errors of others.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-whipping boy.wav

Word forms

whipping boy whipping boys whipping-boy

Etymology

First recorded in 1647. It is debated if this type of proxy punishment actually existed, or how widespread it was.

Synonyms

scapegoat sacrificial lamb escapegoat fall guy folk devil goat Joe Soap patsy whipping boy
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