Is there an alternate term for "the power behind the throne?"

Question

NOAD describes a figurehead as

a nominal leader or head without real power.

I'm wondering if there's a complementary one-word term for the person who does wield the power in such a situation. I'm aware of the phrase, power behind the throne,

a person or organization that exerts authority or influence without having formal status.

I'm just hoping there's a way to refer to such a person more directly and succinctly.

From The Wizard of Oz, there's the man behind the curtain. — Peter Shor, Jan 30 '12 at 00:40

Barrie England · Answer 1 · 2012-01-30T07:56:14.567

5

If you don't mind using French, and if you can accept two words, there's éminence grise.

edited Jan 30 '12 at 07:56

answered Jan 29 '12 at 19:38

Barrie England

140,205

1

Which, unfortunately, has come to mean elder statesman in current usage; otherwise, éminence grise captures it perfectly. – Gnawme Jan 30 '12 at 07:51
@Gnawme: There is no such suggestion in the OED's definition and citations. I suppose the association with age, if there is one, has come about through understanding 'grise' as 'grey-haired'. – Barrie England Jan 30 '12 at 07:58
Perhaps it's an American perversion. When I consult COCA, about 5 of the 25 results appear to use the term in the sense of "power behind the throne." – Gnawme Jan 30 '12 at 08:05

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 14 '13 at 15:36

3

puppet master as they are pulling strings of a puppet

edited Sep 14 '13 at 15:36

user49727

9,022
3
25
44

answered Sep 14 '13 at 12:09

Nigel

31

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 30 '12 at 02:41

3

Though kingmaker originally meant the person with power to influence the choice of prince, it is also now used in a larger sense of power behind the throne.

answered Jan 30 '12 at 02:41

MetaEd

28,488

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:41

1

Éminence grise hits the mark pretty closely: anyone who has great influence, usually over a figurehead, such as a pontiff or (henpecked) husband without being observed much in that role. The Hidden Hand conveys the same idea.

edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:41

MetaEd

28,488

answered Jan 30 '12 at 02:30

Charlie Bov

19

"The Hidden Hand". Are you referring here to the invisible hand, Adam Smith's coinage? – MetaEd Jan 31 '12 at 22:42

Is there an alternate term for "the power behind the throne?"

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