A close friend or companion, often used negatively to describe someone who gets favors or jobs because of their friendship with someone in power rather than their ability.
From Greek chronios meaning 'longtime' or 'long-lasting,' referring to a long-standing friend; entered English in the 1660s as Cambridge University slang before becoming more widespread.
The word 'crony' perfectly captures how language reveals corruption—it evolved from simply meaning 'old friend' to specifically meaning 'undeserving friend with connections,' showing how a neutral word can become loaded with judgment about power and fairness.
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