What is a patsy?

A patsy is a slang term that is often used to refer to a person who is easily manipulated or taken advantage of by others. In popular culture, a patsy is often portrayed as a naive or unsuspecting individual who is used as a scapegoat or fall guy in a criminal or deceitful scheme.

The term "patsy" originated in the United States in the early 20th century and is believed to have originated from the Irish word "páiste," which means child or young person. It is commonly used in the context of conspiracy theories or criminal investigations to describe someone who is used to take the blame for a crime or wrongdoing that they did not actually commit.

In legal terms, a patsy is someone who is set up or framed for a crime by others who are actually responsible. This can happen in situations where an individual is manipulated or coerced into taking the blame for a crime in order to protect the true perpetrators.