toad eater

toad eater (plural toad eaters)

1. Alternative form of toadeater
   • 1781, V. Knox, “On Associating with Equals for the True Pleasure of Friendship”, in Winter Evenings or Lucubrations:

     A toad eater, a led captain, an humble companion, are appellations which no man, who has a real sense of honour, would chuse to possess; but these are the best names bestowed upon men who spend their lives in courting the great by all arts, but those of virtue and truth.

   • 1790, Tate Wilkinson, Memoirs of His Own Life, page 142:

     On this my first tour, I was grasping for great parts, but from timidity, and not having time to be perfect, my prospect was not the most favourable —Miss Bradshaw's secret account, (a toad eater, the spawn of Adulation,) did not lead Mr. Garrick to any favourable expectations.

   • 1881, Adam Woolbever, Treasury of Wisdom, Wit and Humor, Odd Comparisons and Proverbs, page 464:

     A viceroy of Ireland asked one of his guests at a public dinner why there were no toads in Ireland? to which he replied, “because there are so many toad eaters."

   • 2011, Marsha Altman, The Road to Pemberley:

     I thank you, my lord, although many would call you a toad eater for such fine words.