A person who holds an important title but has no real power or responsibility, or a carved figure on a ship's bow.
Compound of 'figure' (from Latin 'figura') and 'head'. Originally referred to the ornamental sculpture at the front of sailing ships; the metaphorical meaning of a powerless leader emerged in the 18th century.
Ship figureheads were chosen carefully—sailors believed they influenced safe voyages! The shift to meaning 'powerless leader' happened because these figures looked impressive but couldn't actually steer the ship.
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