apparatchik
|ap-pa-ratch-ik|
/ˌæpəˈrætʃɪk/
loyal bureaucratic functionary
Etymology
'apparatchik' originates from Russian, specifically the word 'аппаратчик' (apparatchik), where 'аппарат' ('apparat') meant 'apparatus' or 'organization'.
'apparatchik' changed from the Russian word 'аппаратчик' and was adopted into English in the mid-20th century through direct transliteration as 'apparatchik'.
Initially, it meant 'a member of the apparatus (the party machine)', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a loyal, often unquestioning bureaucratic functionary', frequently with a negative connotation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member or official of a political organization or government bureaucracy (originally in the Soviet context), typically one who follows orders and works within the party apparatus.
He was an apparatchik who spent his career executing party directives rather than initiating policy.
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Noun 2
an unquestioning, loyal subordinate or operative in any large organization, often used pejoratively to imply blind adherence to the organization rather than independent thought.
The corporation was run by apparatchiks more concerned with procedure than with results.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 10:06