Minion comes to us from Middle French and has a somewhat surprising cousin in English: filet mignon. The two words are connected by way of Middle French mignon, meaning “darling.” Minionentered English around 1500 directly from Middle French, whereas filet mignon arrived significantly later by way of a modern French phrase meaning “dainty fillet.” The earliest uses of minion referred to someone who was a particular favorite, or darling, of a sovereign or other important personage. Over time, however, the word developed a more derogatory sense referring to a person who is servile and unimportant.