spear-carrier

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for August 21, 2009 is: spear-carrier • \SPEER-kair-ee-er\  • noun 1 a : a member of an opera chorus b : a bit actor in a play 2 : a person whose actions are of little significance or value in an event or organization Examples: Although the former aide was only a spear-carrier in the then-President's administration, his recently published memoir, which points an accusatory finger at several key players, is causing quite a stir. Did you know? "Spear-carrier" began to be used for a person having a non-speaking or supernumerary role in opera or theater in the 1950s. The name likely came from the nondescript, often spear-carrying soldiers who appear in the background or as walk-ons in plays about ancient Rome or Greece. Off-stage, "spear-carrier" refers to a person having a minimal role in the undertaking of some major event or in the workings of some major organization. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.