toady \TOH-dee\, noun, verb:
1. a fawning flatterer; humble dependent
2. to attempt to gain favor by fawning or being servile
The freshman was the senior's toady even though many made fun of her.
They came backstage and toadied to the actor.
c 1690 for noun, possibly shortened from toad-eater "fawning flatterer," originally referring to the assistant of a charlatan, who ate a toad (believed to be poisonous) to enable his master to display his skill in expelling the poison. The verb is recorded from 1827.
2 comments:
Why are the examples no longer references to newspapers? It's a pity.
I'll see what I can do :)
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