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charlatan, copywriting, editing, George Washington, grammar, Henry Wiencek, history, humor, proofreading, proper grammar, snake oil, strange word, toads, toady, weird word, words, writing
I thought it might be fun to take a word we hear often enough and consider its history. I’m reading An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves and the Creation of America, by Henry Wiencek. On page 157, Wiencek discusses being ruled with an “arbitrary sway” and how “that could turn a proud, independent man into a toady.”
I stopped reading at that point and wondered how in the world an amphibious term morphed into something derogatory. When I think of “toady,” other synonyms come to mind: boot licker; flunky; lackey; teacher’s pet; brown noser…the list goes on and on, and none of those terms are flattering.
Turns out we have to head back to the late 1500s to learn the answer to the riddle of how toads came to be viewed with derision. Back then, all toads were considered extremely poisonous in a “touch-them-and-die” kind of way, and trust a snake oil salesman to get on stage and come up with a way to exploit the public’s fear.
At markets and exhibitions, the unscrupulous salesman would have his assistant pretend to eat a toad. Horrified onlookers would gasp and cringe, certain that the hapless assistant was on a fast track to imminent doom.
But wait! The assistant might be gasping on the stage, clutching his throat and breathing his last, but the salesman had just the thing in his bag of tricks. Out came a bottle of snake oil, sold by the gallon to unsuspecting fairgoers, now assured that with a few gulps, their homeward journey was safe. No need to fear the gangs of toads leaping from behind trees to accost weary travelers! Whew!
The salesman’s toad-eating apprentice was called, aptly enough, a “toadeater.” Often, these assistants were young, and some were mentally challenged, which, at that time, meant they were objects of contempt, fit only for the lowest jobs. They served the needs of the snake oil salesman with their toad-eating behavior.
See where this went? Toadeaters were viewed with scorn, and over time, the term was shortened to toady, meaning anyone who served another with their behavior. Today, we consider a toady to be someone who sucks up, who behaves in a fawning manner. Not a good thing.
Thankfully, we’ve reached Toad Enlightenment, and the little critters no longer frighten the way they used to 500 years ago. I did a little research and learned that toads are prolific pest eaters, and their presence is desired by some gardeners. I even found a website that sells toad houses, little clay things that look like charming English cottages. Line up a bunch in your garden and start your own Toad Subdivision!
Just don’t be a toady.
susielindau said:
I love learning the origins of words and idioms! I did not know this. It’s great to have another name for all the suck-ups out there…
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! I hope this won’t be viewed as being too “toady.” 🙂
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dmswriter said:
Thanks, Susie – good one! I promise not to lump you in with all the other toadies that I know. 🙂
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susielindau said:
Thanks for that!
….ribbit…..croak….ribbit…..
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karenspath said:
I love the history of words. I didn’t know this one though so it was informative as well as amusing. I am a gardener and I love the giant toad that lives in my garden during the summer. I’m not sure he’d like the toad house though. It might not be as cool as the hole he digs in the ground. Congrats on being freshly pressed.
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dmswriter said:
Thanks, Karen! We’ve also had a few toads in our garden, and I’ve always thought they were neat to have around.
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thymelesssageandrandomrants said:
Interesting! I have an aunt whose nickname is Toad, sometimes Toady Mae. I wonder if she has any idea of the origin. Don’t think I will enlighten her.
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dmswriter said:
You’re probably right – Toady Mae might not appreciate it much. Some things are better left unsaid! (Or unknown, in this case.) 🙂
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The 3rd Coyote said:
I love stuff like this! I have a book for you if you haven’t already read or own it. It’s “A Hog on Ice & Other Curious Expressions” – Charles Earle Funk, Drawings by Tom Funk. ISBN 0-06-091259-6
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dmswriter said:
Thanks a lot 3rd Coyote! I love books like this and will definitely check it out.
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whatwereyathinkin said:
I loved it ! As we say down here in the south,”Reckon that was ’bout fine as frog hair!”
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dmswriter said:
That’s one of my favorite sayings – “finer than frog’s hair”! Good one!
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sportsandthecross said:
Really great post, thanks for sharing and congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
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dmswriter said:
Thanks! Glad you stopped by.
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mcolmo said:
I once saved a toad from being squashed under a SUV tire. I had no problem in picking it up with my bare hands. I know how to pick them and I haven’t gotten any warts. Everyone around me was making horror faces as I carried the toad to safer ground, I mean, I didn’t kiss it! Maybe I should have… then I could have blogged about how I met my prince charming
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dmswriter said:
Good thing you were in the right place at the right time!
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Promenade Claire said:
I realise your post is about the origins of the word toady, and it certainly makes an interesting tale but its the toadhouse or rather toad hall that grabbed my attention – isn’t it amazing to see things you did’t realise you needed 🙂 I have toads in my garden, and I’m happy they have settled in to help me keep the pests under control !
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dmswriter said:
There’s a chain of stores in our state, and one of their slogans is “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” I think you’d find toad houses there!
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debdundas said:
Nicely written. Wondering where you got all your info … from a book, website? It’d be neat to be able to browse…
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dmswriter said:
Thank you – I neglected to put a link in, which I always try to do. http://voices.yahoo.com/toady-origin-meaning-word-3739736.html?cat=37
Try that if you want. I appreciate your comment!
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Plays, The Mundane, and Everything Else said:
So glad I stumbled upon your blog! Who knew the origin of the word “toady” could be so fascinating?
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dmswriter said:
Thanks! I really enjoy words and learning more about their origins. Stop by again!
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helenspyro said:
It’s funny how a word may seem to be one thing, yet mean another. “Toady” doesn’t mean toad-like, yet originates from happenings related to toads!
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dmswriter said:
Yes, so many of our words are very indirect and hard to figure out. Toady is certainly one of them, and kind of fun to say!
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w6bky said:
Congratulations on being chosen for Freshly Pressed – a well deserved recognition.
Language in general, and English in particular, is a strange thing. For example, I have often wondered about the origin of “butterfly”. Wouldn’t “flutterby” be more descriptive ?
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dmswriter said:
Thank you! A very thoughtful comment that I appreciate. 🙂
Yes, “flutterby” is much more apt, since that’s what they actually do.
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Louis said:
So many things I like here: toads – they feature heavily in folklore, which interests me. Word/phrase orignins, language, historical curiosity. I’ll be back.
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dmswriter said:
Toads (and frogs) are favorites of mine, too. Glad you stopped by and I look forward to chatting again, Louis.
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