The word footman lets refer to that or that which is characterized by being creeping, vile, despicable, that is, someone who is bad, who deceives another in his confidence will be considered as a lackey, likewise, something that is unpleasant to us can be designated that way.
That or that despicable
It should be noted that formerly the word lackey was used to refer to the servant, butler, clerk, who took care to accompany his master on foot, by car or on horseback, as appropriate.
Servant, butler
Going back to the Middle Ages, the lackey was that individual who was subject to the feudal lord and had to be faithful to him at all times, in return, the lord granted him protection, provided him with the work elements and of course gave him a house and food.
Synonym of slave: when the will of the subject is annulled and is disposed of for personal gain
By case it is also that this concept used to be used as synonym of employee or slave, because the word has always been linked to the idea of serving another.
It is considered that someone is a slave when his life and decisions do not depend on him but it is someone else who decides what he does or says and who is the one who has the authority and power; it is a relationship in which the slave is subdued and dominated.
In some cases, if the person cannot be subdued, violence can be used to achieve subjection.
In slavery, man is not free and becomes the property of another person, who is the one who decides his destiny and everything that has to do with him, his self, his decision, is suppressed.
The master is precisely the owner of his slave and imposes his will on him.
We must say that at present this scenario is considered absolutely contrary to human rights and of course where it is appreciated it will be condemned by most of the people.
Now, in the mentioned times of the Middle Ages and even a little further back, in Roman and Greek times, slavery was a common and accepted situation.
For the Greeks, for example, although they were allowed to carry out various activities, their rights were not recognized and then they could not participate in public life; and it was common for the Romans to enslave their adversaries captured in wars.
Even human trafficking was legitimized, especially the black inhabitants of Africa who suffered the most from this situation.
The slave guarantees the lord or master a permanent workforce at his service, and cheap of course, he only had to give him a space to sleep and food.
Although in the 21st century slavery has been practically abolished throughout the planet, it continues to be exercised in a veiled and illegal way, for example through the sexual exploitation of women and children, a scourge especially in underdeveloped countries.
Soldier accompanying the knight in war
In the military sphere, that man was called a lackey. soldier who went on foot and armed with a crossbow and had the mission of accompanying a knight in war.
Slavish staff to another
In our days, it is also common for us to use the word to qualify that person who is subservient to another, generally when an employee serves his boss constantly, at all times and in all places and never contradicts him in anything he does, says or asks, even if it is crazy.
In politics it is where we can most assiduously find ourselves with this type of situation because it is precisely those people with power who surround themselves with lackeys in order to continue firm with their authority.
An advisor, a secretary of state, a minister, among others, can become lackeys of the president of a nation and in this way, supporting and validating every decision and word they manage to become indispensable allies who in return receive their favor and an economic reward. for the service provided.
Those who act in this way do not mind being subjected and reduced to the most despicable, by whom they flatter, to the most vile comments, because the idea is that the more they submit and comply, the more sympathy and favor they will win from their boss.
