henchboy

English

Alternative forms

• hinchboy

Etymology

Blend of henchman +‎ boy.

Noun

henchboy (plural henchboys)

1. (archaic) A follower; footman; page; a servant.
   • 1710, John Oldham, The Works of Mr. John Oldham: Together with His Remains:

     ... There, when in Solemn State he pleas'd to ride, Poor Scepter'd slaves ran Henchboys by his side: [...]

   • 1846, Percy Society - Volume 19:

     The smiths exhibited a mounted horseman with head-piece and axe; the carpenters, a group of boys, bearing wands surmounted with bunches of flowers, like that borne by the lord mayor of London's henchboy, in Charles I's time, as shewn in the frontispiece to the first part of my "Lord Mayors' Pageants;" [...]

2. A young henchman
   • 1991, Gretta Curran Browne, Fire On The Hill:

     So seeing him looking all quiet and bookish, Power goes up to him accompanied by a few henchboys and says: `'Can you handle yourself, Dwyer? Are you any good at boxing?'

   • 2008, Jacqueline Wilson, The Bed and Breakfast Star:

     “[...] 'Yeah, you fix it up for us, Elsa,” said one of his henchboys.

   • 2009, Tony Fletcher, Hedonism:

     Suitably stimulated, Superfag turns on his platforms and dances off through the empty hallways, his henchboys behind.

   • 2014, Paul Monette, Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story:

     He growled at two of his mick henchboys, who pinned poor Austin's face to the wall.

   • 2015, Richard O. Smith, The Unbeatables:

     Patiently awaiting his opportunity until he can pounce like a predator, the henchboy again tugs out the jukebox lead just as the Guv'nor has returned to his place behind the counter.

   • 2016, Boria Majumdar, Feluda @ 50:

     Tenida, like Ghanada, is also surrounded by three henchboys, and acts out his particular form of hyperabsurdity.