TransWikia.com

What's a word to call a person who is involuntarily used?

English Language & Usage Asked by wolvela on May 21, 2021

In an interaction, one person uses another against their will. Is there a word (noun) to refer to that person?

Example: Person A trips and grabs onto Person B, a stranger, in order to not fall to the ground. Person B had no choice in the matter. Person A would label Person B their _____.

Dupe, instrument, pawn, puppet, stooge, and tool have pretty negative connotations, so don’t quite work. The interaction is more of a slight inconvenience.

3 Answers

One who saves from danger is a saviour (American savior).

savior = one that saves from danger or destruction

Merriam Webster

The question then arises: can a savior be involuntary?

Merriam Webster continues with an example “the policeman proved to be our savior, arriving on the scene just as we were about to be mugged”. The policemen may easily have arrived by chance, making him an involuntary savior.

Another example where the savior is most certainly involuntary (even inimical) is:

James Murdoch wants to blow up the BBC. He could yet turn out to be its unwitting saviour.

Financial Times

“Oops! Sorry! I nearly fell in the mud. You are my saviour.”

Answered by Anton on May 21, 2021

You are my (a):

Lifesaver

a thing that saves one from serious difficulty. Also, a person who rescues another from danger of death, especially from drowning. a person or thing that saves a person, as from a difficult situation or critical moment: That money was a lifesaver (www.dictionary.com › browse › lifesaver ).

Can also be used in a non-literal sense such as:

Guardian Angel

a spirit who is believed to protect and help a particular person (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/guardian-angel)' or;

Knight in shining armour

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/a-knight-in-shining-armour?topic=preserving-and-saving

More tentatively: http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-definition-of/save-(one%27s)-butt

Answered by user414952 on May 21, 2021

If it doesn't have to be possessive, maybe "solid" would work. Literally true and metaphorically fitting for the example. In this case, the involuntary use is just "using" the body as a solid.

"You're solid, thanks."

"Dude, you're solid."

"You're my solid"

Last one just doesn't flow off the tongue as well

Answered by Paul on May 21, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP