errand boy

errand boy (plural errand boys)

1. A male employed to run errands.
   • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 96:

     There was plenty of food and plenty of work. He was to be errand boy, and to help the girls to carry wood and water and do other odd jobs.

2. (management, occasionally derogatory) Someone in a responsible position who performs relatively menial tasks for a senior manager.

• (someone employed to run errands):
• (pejorative): cat's paw, hatchet man