Word of the Week: Toady

Toady is a noun, but can also be used as a verb, toady. Defined as a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage, toady is not a compliment. 

Toady has a very interesting etymology. Instead of deriving from Latin, Arabic, or Greek, the word toady derives from the 17th century occupation, toadeater. In 17th century Europe, a common source of entertainment was watching the showman’s assistant, or the toadeater, eat “poisonous frogs”. After the assistant “enjoyed” his meal, the showman would swoop in and save the toadeater by expelling the hoax poison. This job became synonymous with extreme subservience, by the early 1800s, toadeater was shortened into the word toady.

Synonyms
Sycophant 

Sentence 
Jayla is a toady to her boss because she wants the promotion. 

Main Source 
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toady