apparatchiki
|ap-pa-ra-tchi-ki|
/ˌæpəˈrætʃɪki/
(apparatchik)
loyal bureaucratic functionary
Etymology
'apparatchiki' originates from Russian, specifically the word 'аппаратчик' (apparatchik), where 'аппарат' (apparat) meant 'apparatus' or 'organization' and the suffix '-чик' ('-chik') indicated 'a person associated with'.
'apparatchiki' entered English in the 20th century (especially during the Cold War) from Russian 'apparatchik' and has been used in English reportage and political commentary as 'apparatchik' (singular) and 'apparatchiki' or 'apparatchiks' (plural).
Initially it meant 'a member of an apparatus/organization'; over time it developed a more pejorative sense of 'a loyal, bureaucratic functionary who follows party line without independent judgment.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'apparatchik': a member of a political organization or bureaucracy who is a loyal, often unquestioning functionary (especially in a communist or highly centralized party system).
During the meeting, the apparatchiki defended the old policies without question.
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Noun 2
used pejoratively to describe rigid, desk-bound officials whose primary loyalty is to the organization rather than to public service or independent judgment.
The reform proposals were dismissed by apparatchiki who feared change.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 10:20