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Patsy
01
a person who is easily deceived, manipulated, exploited, or set up to take the blame
Offensive
Slang
Grammatical Information
animacy status
human
Composition
Simple
countable
plural form
patsies
What is the origin of the term "patsy" and how is it used?
"Patsy" likely comes from the nickname Patrick or Pat, which in 19th-century slang became associated with someone naive or easy to trick, possibly reinforced by stock characters in theater. By the early 20th century it meant a person easily deceived, manipulated, or set up to take blame. It appears in crime contexts, politics, and everyday speech. The term is mildly derogatory but not vulgar.
Examples
He realized too late that his so-called friends had made him the patsy for the failed prank.
