flying monkey
Winged simian creature
A flying monkey is someone who does another person's dirty work, especially carrying out harassment or manipulation on behalf of an abuser.
The term comes from the Wizard of Oz, where the Wicked Witch commands winged monkeys to terrorize others.
In discussions of narcissism and toxic relationships, flying monkeys are enablers who spread rumors, deliver threats, or spy: Her mother sent flying monkeys to guilt-trip me into coming back.
The term emphasizes that the real villain operates through proxies.
- wingedHaving flight appendages
- Wizard of OzKansas girl's odyssey
- OzFictional enchanted kingdom
- yellow brick roadMetaphorical route to success
- witchPractitioner of dark arts
Margaret Hamilton · minion · servant · henchman · swooping · air attack · wicked · narcissist · emotional abuse · toxic relationship · enabler · abuse · manipulation · messenger · obedient · fearsome · screeching · flock
- Wizard of OzDorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch, yellow brick road
- magical creaturesgolem, familiar, homunculus, elemental, construct
- narcissismnarcissist, narcissistic personality disorder, ego, vanity, self-love
- toxic familydysfunction, broken home, family secret, scapegoat, golden child
flying monkeyprotector
One who safeguards others
independent thinker · advocate · whistleblower · truth-teller · gray rock