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Webster 1913 Edition

Toadeater

Toad′eatˊer

,
Noun.
[Said to be so called in allusion to an old alleged practice among mountebanks’ boys of eating toads (popularly supposed to be poisonous), in order that their masters might have an opportunity of pretending to effect a cure. The French equivalent expression is
un avaleur de couleuvres
. Cf.
Toady
.]
A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a flatterer; a toady.
V. Knox.
You had nearly imposed upon me, but you have lost your labor. You're too zealous a
toadeater
, and betray yourself.
Dickens.

Webster 1828 Edition

Toadeater

TOAD'EATER

,
Noun.
A vulgar name given to a fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant.

Definition 2024

toadeater

toadeater

English

Noun

toadeater ‎(plural toadeaters)

  1. A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant or flatterer.
    You're too zealous a toadeater, and betray yourself. — C. Dickens (1844).[1]
    a chaplain, tutor, toadeater, or some superior servant. — J. Wilson (1819).[2]
    A toad eater, a led captain, an humble companion, are appellations which no man, who has a real sense of honour, would chuse to possess; but these are the best names bestowed upon men who spend their lives in courting the great by all arts, but those of virtue and truth. V. Knox (1781). [3]

References

  1. ↑ Martin Chuzzlewit (1843-44), Ch. 24.
  2. ↑ Complete Dictionary of Astrology (1819), "Horary Questions", Of Theft.
  3. ↑ Winter Evenings or Lucubrations, "On Associating with Equals for the True Pleasure of Friendship.

Etymology

toad +‎ eater, said to allude to an old alleged practice among mountebanks, who would hire a boy to eat (or pretend to eat) toads, which many had considered poisonous. The toadeater (b.k.a. toady) would writhe in pain, until the quack gave him some "medicine", and then try to impress upon the crowd that the boy was cured. Compare toady.

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