Toadeating

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. A practice in which one flatters or ingratiates oneself to gain favor or advantage from someone in a position of power
2. The act of excessively and insincerely complimenting or serving another, often for personal gain
3. Engaging in sycophantic behavior to curry favor, typically by submitting to the whims of those with influence

Etymology: The idea behind "toadeating" is the old belief that toads were poisonous and that eating one, or at least working in close contact with one, was a sign of servility and degradation. The compound itself is plain: "toad" plus "eating," joined into a single word. Its sense of fawning on a superior grew from the image of a lowly creature forced to swallow something repugnant to win favor. The word is English and built from two common elements, so there is no foreign pathway to trace. It works as both an adjective and a noun, and its meaning has stayed fixed on the same idea of cringing flattery directed upward at someone with power. The pairing of "toad" with "eating" gives the image its force: the flatterer is cast as swallowing whatever the powerful offer, however distasteful.