Pander
/ˈpæn.dər/noun
To cater to or exploit another’s desires or weaknesses, often in a degrading way.
Did you know?Pander comes from Greek mythology: Pandarus was a go-between in the Trojan War story, and his name became tied to the idea of a go-between, then later to sexual procuring and exploitation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Πάνδαρος (Pándaros)
“A mythological name associated with a go-between figure in Trojan legend.”
Late Latin
Latin
pandarus
“A go-between or procurer.”
Old French
Old French
pandre
“To act as a procurer or pander.”
14th–15th Century
Middle English
panderen
“To act as a pimp or go-between, especially in sexual matters.”
Modern English
English
pander
“To gratify or indulge vice, weakness, or desire; to cater to base tastes.”