From an article forwarded to alt.humor.best-of-usenet, don't know original newsgroup or author: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Flunkies are totaly incapable of independent thought or unspuervised actions. They cannot be left alone for more than a few minutes, for fear of hurting themselves or others. Lackeys are capable of following rudimentary instructions and marginal self-supervision for up to a day or so. The better lackeys are also capable of supervising a squad of flunkies while they break rocks into gravel, but again, only for a day or so. Minions are capable of a far greater range of authority, self-determination, and responsibility. They can act unsupervised for days, weeks, even months at a time, largely because they are generally clever enough to call you on their cellular phone if they think they're in a situation that is over their heads. They can be trusted with several squadrons of flunkies and the appropriate support staff of lackeys. I don't use toadies. I have no idea what they're good for.