Puppets are also known as marionettes from the French medieval passion-play[?] figure attributed to Marion or the young Mary, mother of Jesus. Figures used by ventriloquists are called dummies because they do not speak.
A general distinction between a puppet and an automaton is the former is mostly operated live and the latter is mostly programmed (for example a coin-operated automata-show or piano-roll sideshow figure). The puppet can interact with other puppets, live performers, and the audience; automatons are animated props.
The use of puppets dates back thousands of years. The first may have been shadow-puppets, which are mentioned in Greek philosophy.
Famous puppets and puppet shows:
See also: puppeteer
As a figure of speech puppet also refers to a political leader installed, supported and controlled by more powerful forces, with no democratic mandate.
Likewise, puppet government or puppet regime is a derogatory term for a government in charge of a region or country, but only through being installed, supported and controlled by a more powerful government.
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