The term 'whipping boy' is a phrase used to describe someone who is blamed for the mistakes of another. It originates from the practice of using a young boy as a SCAPEGOAT for a prince or other royal figure, taking the punishment that was meant for them. The crossword solutions for this term are 'SCAPEGOAT' (9 letters) and 'GOAT' (4 letters). The term 'SCAPEGOAT' is often used in a similar way to 'whipping boy', while 'GOAT' is a reference to the animal which is often used as a symbol of being blamed for something.