patsy

[pat-see] /ˈpæt si/
noun, plural patsies. Slang.
1.
a person who is easily swindled, deceived, coerced, persuaded, etc.; sucker.
2.
a person upon whom the blame for something falls; scapegoat; fall guy.
3.
a person who is the object of a joke, ridicule, or the like.
Origin
1900-05, Americanism; origin uncertain

Patsy

[pat-see] /ˈpæt si/
noun
1.
a male given name, form of Patrick.
2.
a female given name, form of Patricia.
Examples from the web for patsy
  • The plotters try to eliminate their patsy on the spot.
  • It consists of trying to prove you are savvier than everybody else, that above all you are nobody's patsy.
British Dictionary definitions for patsy

patsy

/ˈpætsɪ/
noun (slang, mainly US & Canadian) (pl) -sies
1.
a person who is easily cheated, victimized, etc
2.
a scapegoat
Word Origin
C20: of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for patsy
n.

"fall guy, victim of a deception," 1903, of uncertain origin, possibly an alteration of Italian pazzo "madman" (see patch (n.2)), or south Italian dialectal paccio "fool." Another theory traces it to Patsy Bolivar, character created by Billy B. Van in an 1890s vaudeville skit who was blamed whenever anything went wrong.

"Poor Rogers," Vincent said, still smiling, "he is always the 'Patsy Bolivar' of the school."
"Yes," Frank answered, "if there are any mistakes to be made or trouble to fall into, Rogers seems to be always the victim." ["Anthony Yorke," "A College Boy," 1899]

Slang definitions & phrases for patsy

patsy

noun
  1. A victim; dupe; sucker: a patsy, a quick push, a big softie/ But to retain lawyers is clear proof that you're a patsy
  2. A person who takes the blame for a crime, who is put up against a superior opponent in order to lose, etc; fall guy

[1903+; apparently fr the name of Patsy Bolivar, a character in a minstrel skit of the 1880s, who was blamed for whatever went wrong]