For the final Regency Wednesday post of 2015, I've randomly selected another slang term from my 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Enjoy! ♥
TOAD EATER.
A poor female relation, and humble companion, or reduced gentlewoman, in a great family, the standing butt, on whom all kinds of practical jokes are played off, and all ill humours vented. This appellation is derived from a mountebank's servant, on whom all experiments used to be made in public by the doctor, his master; among which was the eating of toads, formerly supposed poisonous. Swallowing toads is here figuratively meant for swallowing or putting up with insults, as disagreeable to a person of feeling as toads to the stomach.*
*Taken verbatim from 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Get your free Kindle copy from Amazon HERE.
♥Happy reading, writing, and blogging!!♥
There’s a jukebox in my head. It’s currently playing
♫♪ Imagine Dragons ~ Bleeding Out
