placeman

[ pleys-muh n ]

/ ˈpleɪs mən /

a person appointed to a position, especially one in the government, as a reward for political support of an elected official.

Origin of placeman

First recorded in 1735–45; place + -man

place·man·ship, noun

I collect from Genest, that after his aristocratic connections made a placeman of him, O'Brien grew ashamed of his vocation.

Their Majesties' Servants (Volume 2 of 3) |John Doran
To us the poet Prior is better known than the placeman Prior; yet in his own day the reverse often occurred.

Calamities and Quarrels of Authors |Isaac Disraeli
Every man had his double; the heels of every placeman were dogged by friendly rivals ready to trip them up.

Coningsby |Benjamin Disraeli
It was a positive grievance, and indeed it was a partial destruction of the constitution, at the instance of a placeman.

The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation |Charles Roger

When this was handed to him he flew into a towering passion, and said, The scribbly scrawl of a placeman, indeed!

Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio vol. II (of 2) |Songling Pu

placeman

/ (ˈpleɪsmən) /

British derogatory a person who holds a public office, esp for private profit and as a reward for political support