About “Sous Sherpas,” writes World Wide Words:


The G8 summit in Gleneagles in July 2005 resulted in this term of the diplomatic trade popping briefly into wider public view. A splendid amalgam of French and Tibetan, it literally means “under-helper”.


It refers to the permanent officials and experts of nations who prepare to hold a summit meeting, who work behind the scenes to give advice and prepare position papers. The most senior officials, one for each national delegation, are the sherpas, who hold regular meetings in the period before a summit meeting. Each is supported by a number of sous-sherpas and by even more lowly assistants called sous-sous-sherpas. …


Rather like the UK bureaucrat fondly portrayed in HBO’s delightful film, “Girl in the Cafe.”