Boring Fact No 59:

[angelophile]

The expression 'toady' to describe someone of low status willing to do anything for their employer is an abbreviated version of 'toad eater'. During the medieval period, toads were considered to be medicinal, not a carrier of warts, which is a modern invention. In Europe, particularly the British Isles, there was a great trade in travelling doctors, quacks who would move from one town to another touting their trade. Much like today's TV evangelists, they would usually employ someone in their 'audience' to demonstrate the revigorating and curative powers of their wares.

Most commonly the solve all cure pescribed by doctors, as well as leeches for blood letting, was to swallow a live toad. These travelling doctors would employ somone to swallow a thrashing toad to dmonstrate its powers and thus the phrase 'toad eater', in its literal sense was born. It has since widened its meaning, to take in anyone prepared to do a demeaning or unpleasant job, and has also been abreviated.

Thus the expression 'toady'.

Next week: bollocks and its meanings.