Literal translation
to play the little hook, the helper
Meaning
to play the role of apprentice or helper
Explanation
To play the apprentice, the assistant's role. The word gafètou, from Marseille Provençal, originally named the clerk of a legal professional, tasked with the most menial chores. That literal sense has faded, but the figurative one, faire le gafette, is still used. Outside Marseille, people more often say faire lou tout-obro or faire lou pasto-mourtié for the same idea.