Etymology

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Today it means: A person who conforms to current opinions, especially for reasons of personal advantage; an opportunist. Full definition →

First used 16th c.
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The story

From time + server.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 16th c. A person who conforms to current opinions, especially for reasons of personal advantage; an opportunist.
  • from 19th c. Someone who performs a job for the required time only, making a minimum of effort.
  • 16th c. Someone who honors their commitments only when it is personally easy to do so.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.