understrapper

[ uhn-der-strap-er ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌstræp ər /

an underling.

Origin of understrapper

First recorded in 1695–1705; under- + strapper

This was to instruct his understrapper to fill the theatre with a rabble and have her hissed off the stage.

The Magnificent Montez |Horace Wyndham
I thought that old Channing had been at work again, not satisfied with his understrapper's job.

Perlycross |R. D. Blackmore
What, what, was he to sell himself to be the understrapper of a sweater!

Pelle the Conqueror, Complete |Martin Anderson Nexo
They think you have come because you wanted to straighten out a low-down trick worked by an understrapper.

Blow The Man Down |Holman Day

I heard 'em say after, as he was an understrapper at Jermyn's.

Felix Holt, The Radical |George Eliot

understrapper

/ (ˈʌndəˌstræpə) /

a less common word for underling

C18: from strap (in the archaic sense: to work hard)