Flak catcher is a slang that refers to a person who takes the blame for a mistake or absorbs criticism intended for someone else. The term originated from World War II when flak was used to describe the anti-aircraft artillery fired at enemy aircraft. Nowadays, there are several synonyms for flak catcher, including scapegoat, fall guy, whipping boy, sacrificial lamb, and patsy. These words are often used to label someone who is blamed for the mistakes of others, whether it be in a personal or professional setting. While they may differ in connotation or degree of severity, they all convey the idea of being unfairly held responsible for somebody else's actions.