merry men

plural noun

1. facetious.
   a person's assistants or followers

Word History and Origins

Origin of merry men¹

C19: originally, the companions of a knight, outlaw, etc

Example Sentences

He is exposed to, and commits, gruesome acts of violence as Askeladd and his merry men raid villages and slaughter innocent farmers.

From Salon

In “Prende El Arbolito,” or “Light the Little Tree,” Dominican rapper El Alfa and his merry men detail a night of debauchery worthy of the “naughty list” — that is, once the kids and their abuelos are fast asleep.

From Los Angeles Times

A man dubbed the "Robin Hood" of Delhi, who is alleged to have led a gang of 25 merry men, has been arrested in India.

From BBC

Now of course, two-thirds of the voting power for Robinhood is concentrated among the Merry Men, founders Vlad Tenev and Baiju Bhatt.

From The Verge

Henry and his merry men are either paying tribute to Paulie with a percentage of their ill-gotten gains or lying to his face.

From New York Times