The objection has been made that the basic notion "one who makes the fig gesture" does not account for the extremely negative connotations of the word ("slanderer, calumniator, etc."), but other explanations (as, for example, that a sȳkophántēs revealed figs hidden in a malefactor's clothing, or initiated a prosecution for something of as little value as a fig) seem even less likely. 133-36) Cook also usefully summarizes ancient speculation (as the idea that the original sȳkophántēs denounced those who illegally exported figs from Attica). The "apotropaic gesture" hypothesis given here was presented early on by Arthur Bernard Cook ("CΥΚΟΦΑΝΤΗC," The Classical Review, vol. The origin of Greek sȳkophántēs, applied in ancient Athens to private individuals who brought prosecutions in which they had no personal stake, was already under debate by ancient writers. Send us feedback.īorrowed from Latin sȳcophanta, borrowed from Greek sȳkophántēs, literally, "one who shows the fig," from sŷkon "fig" (perhaps in reference to an apotropaic gesture made by inserting the thumb between the index and second fingers) + -phantēs, agentive derivative of phaínein "to reveal, show, make known" perhaps from the use of such a gesture in denouncing a culprit - more at fig entry 1, fantasy entry 1 These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sycophant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
2021 Political foes view him as a Trump sycophant with authoritarian tendencies who bungled the COVID-19 pandemic.Īuthor: Skyler Swisher, Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2021 Political foes view him as a Trump sycophant with authoritarian tendencies who bungled the COVID-19 pandemic.Īuthor: Skyler Swisher, Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2021 See More 2022 Natalie tells Love that Sherry runs this town, so the only way to deal with her is to earn her respect or be a sycophant. Noah Biermanstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 Thanks but no thanks for your sycophant service, Big Luther Strange, Ol’ Roy Moore and ‘Woke’ Mo Brooks. Recent Examples on the Web Pence had been among the most loyal soldiers of Trump’s presidency, defending him against multiple ethics charges and praising him so effusively that many ridiculed him as a sycophant.