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stooge (n.)

1913, "stage assistant, actor who assists a comedian," a word of uncertain origin, perhaps an alteration of student (with the mispronunciation STOO-jent) in sense of "apprentice."

The meaning "lackey, person used for another's purpose" is recorded by 1937. The Three Stooges film slapstick act debuted on screen in 1930, originally as "Ted Healy and His Stooges."

also from 1913
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Trends of stooge

updated on August 20, 2023

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