different between understrapper vs understrapping

English

Etymology

From under- +? strapper.

Noun

understrapper (plural understrappers)

1. Any underling or inferior in office.
   • 1753, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom, Part I, Chapter 29,^[1]

     “ […] I have seen him lately at Boulogne, and am perfectly well acquainted with some persons who have supplied him with French lace and embroidery; and, as a proof of what I allege, I desire you will order him and this barber, who is his understrapper, to be examined on the spot.”

   • 1847, Herman Melville, Omoo, Part II, Chapter 82,^[2]

     The doctor immediately disappeared, returning soon after with a couple of flasks of wine concealed in the folds of his frock. Through the agency of the Marquesan, he had purchased them from an understrapper of the court.

   • 1927, Joseph C. Lincoln, The Aristocratic Miss Brewster, Chapter 3,^[3]

     A fine state of affairs, when a fifteen-dollar-a-week understrapper’s job gets to interfering with the business of an institution like the Wapatomac National Bank.

   • 1977, Ian Winterbottom, Baron Winterbottom, Hansard, House of Lords, The Tornado military aircraft, 9 May, 1977,^[4]

     My Lords, if an understrapper from a television company talks to an understrapper of the RAF, you do not expect air marshals to jump.

2. A freelance operator for MI5.
   • 2000, Philip Davison, McKenzie’s Friend, Penguin, p. 37,

     Alfie was familiar with the term ‘understrapper’. The Harry Fielding Alfie knew was an understrapper; a bob-a-job man for MI5. Somebody who could do a bit of house- or office-breaking, or some surveillance work.

English

Adjective

understrapping (comparative more understrapping, superlative most understrapping)

1. (archaic) Becoming an understrapper; subservient.