The story
Perhaps an abbreviation of Russian студе́нт (studént) [stʊˈdʲent]; the original meaning was “stage assistant, actor who assists a comedian”. It may have been a Yiddish vaudeville term.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
stooge
Today it means: One who knowingly allows themself to be used for another's profit; a dupe. Full definition →