SCAPEGOAT
NOUNS, PERSON
1684 — BATTING-STOCK a scapegoat, one who takes the blows due to another → Eng. dial.
1843 — BATTING-STONE a scapegoat, one who takes the blows due to another → Ireland
1873 — BATTERING-STOCK a scapegoat who gets the blows and reproaches due to another → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
1898 — PUNCHING BAG a person serving as an object of abuse; a scapegoat → colloq.
1898 — THE BALL ON THE HAT a scapegoat → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
..L19 — AUNT SALLY a scapegoat, often unfairly so → sl.
..L19 — GOAT a scapegoat; a person who (rightly or wrongly) takes the blame → US
..20C — FALL BITCH a woman who bears the punishment for another’s wrongdoing → sl.
1904 — FALL GUY a scapegoat for a crime or misdemeanour → sl., orig. US
1929 — WYTESMAN someone to bear the blame, a scapegoat → Sc.
1955 — SCRAPEGOAT a scapegoat → Amer. dial.
2000 — PRAT-BOY a person who takes the punishment for another’s crime; a fall guy
VERBS
1920 — PASS THE BUCK TO to shift responsibility to; to make a scapegoat or dupe of a person
1929 — CARRY THE CAN (BACK) to take the blame or punishment on behalf of another; to be made a scapegoat; to do the dirty work while another gets the credit → UK sl., orig. navy
1930 — FALL-GUY to exploit as a ‘fall guy’ (scapegoat) → Amer. criminals’ sl.
.M20 — BE LEFT CARRYING THE CAN to be made the scapegoat, to be burdened with (usually unwanted) responsibility, or both → colloq.
1994 — THROW UNDER THE BUS to abandon or betray a person, esp. a colleague or friend, in order to protect or advance one’s own interests; to make a scapegoat of → colloq.
2006 — TOSS UNDER THE BUS to abandon or betray a person, esp. a colleague or friend, in order to protect or advance one’s own interests; to make a scapegoat of
Lexicophilia 