σφουγγοκωλάριος

Greek

edit

Etymology

edit

From σφουγγίζω (sfoungízo, to wipe, to sponge) +‎ κώλος (kólos, arse, ass) +‎ -άριος (-ários).

Pronunciation

edit
  • IPA(key): /sfuŋɡokoˈlaɾios/
  • Hyphenation: σφου‧γγο‧κω‧λά‧ρι‧ος

Noun

edit

σφουγγοκωλάριος (sfoungokoláriosm (plural σφουγγοκωλάριοι)

  1. (obsolete, literally) groom of the stool (Byzantine officer tasked with wiping the emperor's bottom)
  2. (derogatory, figuratively) arse-kisser, ass-licker, brown-noser (someone who succumbs to authority, doing whatever authority figures ask and attempting to please them in every possible way)
    Φυσικά, έχει τους σφουγγοκωλάριούς του που ποτέ δεν του λένε όχι.
    Fysiká, échei tous sfoungokolárioús tou pou poté den tou léne óchi.
    Of course, he has his brown-nosers who never say no to him.

Declension

edit

Synonyms

edit