Charlie McCarthy

noun

Charlie Mc·​Car·​thy

-kȧ|,

|thi also |tē or |tē or -i

plural Charlie McCarthys

: one under the complete domination of another often while enjoying apparent independence : stooge, yes-man, dummy

uses him as a Charlie McCarthy to prove that even a schoolboy can see through the fallacious arithmetic of the opposition

—Elmer Davis

Word History

Etymology

after Charlie McCarthy, ventriloquist's dummy made famous by Edgar Bergen born 1903 American ventriloquist & comedian

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now