Henchman
“Henchman” 是名词。虽然原本是指随从或家臣,但在现代英语中通常带有负面色彩,指代那些帮坏人干脏活、执行非法命令或盲目效忠的“打手”或“帮凶”。
- “The villain was always surrounded by a group of loyal henchmen.” (那个反派身边总是围着一群忠诚的随从。)
- “The corrupt politician used his henchmen to intimidate his rivals.” (那个贪腐的政客利用他的亲信来恐吓竞争对手。)
- “The police arrested the mob boss and his top henchman.” (警察逮捕了黑帮老大及其头号帮凶。)
源自中古英语 “hengest-man”。其中 “hengest” 意为马(特别是种马),所以原意是“管理马的人”或“马夫”。
- 词根: “hench” (源自 hengest, 马)
- 词根: “man” (人)
在超级英雄电影或惊险小说中,“henchmen” 是必不可少的配角。他们通常没有名字,成群出现,负责阻拦主角。这个词在政治语境下极具贬义。
- 复数形式: “henchmen”
“Hen” (母鸡) + “ch” (抓) + “man” (人)。想象一个像母鸡一样围在主人身边,随时准备帮主人抓人的家伙。
“The evil sorcerer sent his shadow henchmen to steal the magic crystal from the palace. They moved silently through the halls, obeying his every dark command without question.” (邪恶的巫师派他的影子随从去皇宫偷取魔法水晶。他们在走廊里无声地穿行,毫无疑问地执行着他的每一条黑暗命令。)