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It just follows logically that historically some powerful families would have paid off a fall guy if necessary, and they could have used a butler in some cases.
by fouc 6y ago
It just follows logically that historically some powerful families would have paid off a fall guy if necessary, and they could have used a butler in some cases. This could've been the origin of the term, before it even showed up in murder mysteries. Perhaps from the 1700s
- coldtea 6y ago>This could've been the origin of the term, before it even showed up in murder mysteries. Perhaps from the 1700s The thing is, it doesn't show up in murder mysteries themselves (except only as a fourth-wall breaking meta-reference to the trope). It originates with murder mystery readers -- as the name of a trope.
- rhizome 6y agoI bet a good butler is much harder to find than a patsy.
- eru 6y agoYes. Though you need a patsy who would have conceivably eg have access to the fancy cars.