--- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> wrote:
> > --- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> > wrote:
> > > > > > > So I ask again: Were you suggesting Bevan is insincere
> > > > > > > in his apparent devotion to MMY?
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Well, to be completely honest, the thought never
> > > > > > crossed my mind.  But now that you bring it up,
> > > > > > my personal experience with Bevan was that he was
> > > > > > insincere in *all* of his interactions with other
> > > > > > human beings, so I consider it possible that this
> > > > > > trend extends to Maharishi.
> > > > > 
> > > > > But this has nothing whatsoever to do with being
> > > > > a toady.  One can be quite sincere in one's sucking
> > > > > up and still be a toady.
> > > > 
> > > > Not by the definition you gave.
> > > 
> > > Did you put your underpants on upside down or
> > > something today, Lawson?  You seem more antagon-
> > > istic than usual.  Here is the definition I posted,
> > > straight from Merriam-Webster.  Could you please
> > > point out to me any language in it about either 
> > > sincerity or insincerity?
> > > 
> > > > > > Main Entry: toady
> > > > > > Pronunciation: 'tO-dE
> > > > > > Function: noun
> > > > > > Inflected Form(s): plural toad·ies
> > > > > > Etymology: by shortening & alteration from toadeater
> > > > > > : one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors
> > > > > > synonym : SYCOPHANT -- a servile self-seeking flatterer
> > > > > > synonym : PARASITE -- one who clings to a person of
> > > > > > wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society
> > 
> > The definition and the first synonym both very
> > strongly imply insincerity.  The second at least
> > suggests it.
> 
> Then again, many things seem to "imply" weird
> stuff to you.  :-)
> 
> Neither the word nor the definition implied
> insincerity to me.  Toady is as toady *does*.
> It's about behavior, not the sincerity of
> the behavior.

Nice try, no cigar.  The definition itself 
characterizes the behavior in terms of motivations.
"In the hope of gaining" and "Self-seeking" are both
phrases describing motivations, not behavior.

And in both cases those motivations are contrary
to what the *behavior* suggests--i.e., admiration
of the person being flattered.

> Your mileage may (and probably
> will) vary.  Such is life.

You can define "toady" however you like.  I'm
pointing out that the definition you supplied implies
(in the sense of "necessary consequence") that the
behavior is insincere.






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