Definition of Toadiater
Toad"eat`er (?), n. [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.
Toad"eat`er (?), n. [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's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
TOAD EATER. A poor female relation, and humble companion,
or reduced gentlewoman, in a great family, the standing
butt, on whom all kinds of practical jokes are played
off, and all ill humours vented. This appellation is derived
from a mountebank's servant, on whom all experiments
used to be made in public by the doctor, his master; among
which was the eating of toads, formerly supposed poisonous.
Swallowing toads is here figuratively meant for swallowing
or putting up with insults, as disagreeable to a person
of feeling as toads to the stomach.
- The Devil's Dictionary (Ambrose Bierce)
You arrived at this page by searching for Toadiater
The correct Spelling of this word is: Toadeater
Thank you for visiting FreeFactFinder. On our home page you will find extensive articles covering
a wide range of topics.
|
