_Cuddy, the Ass._--Your correspondents have alluded to the words _Donkey_ and _Moke_ not appearing in any of our dictionaries. There is another word for the same animal in general use in Northumberland and the neighbouring counties, _Cuddy_, which likewise does not appear in the dictionaries I have looked at,--Johnson's amongst the number. Can any of your correspondents give the origin of this word? J. S. A. Old Broad Street. [This word is most probably of Oriental origin, and may have been imported by the gypsies, the ass being their favourite quadruped. Persian _gudda_ signifies an ass; and _ghudda_ has the same signification in Hindostanee.--Jamieson's _Scottish Dictionary_.] _Toady._--Will any of your readers be kind enough to explain the origin of this word, which is constantly used in conversation when speaking of a sycophant? F. M. [_Toady_, or _Toad-eater_, a vulgar name for a fawning, obsequious sycophant, was first given to a gluttonous parasite, famous for his indiscriminate enjoyment and praise of all viands whatever set before him. To test his powers of stomach and complaisance, one of his patrons had a _toad_ cooked and set before him, which he both ate and praised in his usual way.--Ogilvie's _Imperial Dictionary_.] _Mother Shipton._--We have all heard of Mother Shipton and her prophecies. Was she a real character? If so, where did she live, and at what period? Were her prophecies ever published? If so, I should like an account of them? JACOBUS. [Our correspondent is referred to the following works relating to this renowned personage:--1. _The Prophesies of Mother Shipton in the Raigne of King Henry VIII., foretelling the Death of Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Percy, and others; as also what should happen in ensuing Times_: London, 1641, 4to. 2. _Two Strange Prophesies, predicting Wonderfull Events to betide this Yeare of Danger in this Climate, where some have already come to passe_, by Mother Shipton: London, 1642, 4to. (About 1642 several other tracts were published with the name of Shipton.) 3. _The Life and Death of Mother Shipton_: London, 1677, 4to. 4. _Mother Shipton's Life and Curious Prophecies_: London, 1797, 8vo. 5. _The History of Mother Shipton_: Newcastle, 4to. Nos. 1. and 4. are in the British Museum.] Replies. RALPH WINTERTON. (Vol. v., p. 346.)