Henchman

In Medieval times, a ‘henchman’ was simply a groom, a loyal follower, a lad who minded a nobleman’s horse. The etymology is OE  ‘hengest’ + ‘man’ through ME ‘hengsman’, ‘henshman’.

I find it interesting that the meaning of this word has narrowed over time to the extent that the slur it implies extends even to the "nobleman".

So "Peter and his henchmen" connotes bad things about Peter by mere proximity. Even "The Pope and his henchmen" casts a pretty powerful judgement on Pope.

I don’t know many other words that have such infectious power.

- PW
who has no henchmen at present

Crony seems to carry the same sort of stigma, even though the definition doesn’t always indicate so.

DJ

Crony seems to carry the same sort of stigma

Yes, it certainly does. Anyone got anymore of these infectious words?

- PW

Crony seems to carry the same sort of stigma
Yes, it certainly does. Anyone got anymore of these infectious words?  

How about sidekick?

AFAIK a kick was a pocket, and a sidekick was the pocket closest to your body - so it was the one that was least likely to be picked.

That gave it the meaning of a trusted ally, but it’s certainly acquired negative overtones since then.

Ed

Sidekick is good, but it doesn’t quite have the same direness of "henchman". Great word, though.

- PW