camp follower

• Person, die einem militärischen Lager oder einer Armee folgt, meist um Dienstleistungen wie Warenverkauf oder Unterhaltung anzubieten, ohne selbst Soldat zu sein. In moderner Verwendung auch eine Person, die eine bestimmte Gruppe, Bewegung oder Tendenz unterstützt, ohne offizielles Mitglied zu sein.

A person who follows a military camp or army, typically to provide services such as selling goods or offering entertainment, but not a member of the military. In modern usage, it can also refer to someone who supports a particular group, movement, or trend without being an official member.

1. Historical military contextC1formal

   A civilian who follows an army, often providing services such as selling goods or offering labor, but not a soldier.

   Marketender

   • Camp followers included merchants, cooks, and laundresses.
   • During the war, many camp followers traveled with the troops.
   • The army relied on camp followers for supplies and support.

2. Figurative meaningC2informal

   A person who joins a group, movement, or trend without being a committed member, often for personal gain or convenience.

   Mitläufer

   • He is just a camp follower of the political party, not a true believer.
   • Many camp followers jumped on the bandwagon after the movement became popular.
   • She was seen as a camp follower, only interested in the benefits of the group.