I was reading today on how the Roman Republic with its Senate, Representatives and Judiciary branches fell to the Roman Empire. The comparisons to today are too close for comfort.

Will Mr. Trump be our first US Emperor?

In the 17th Century there were traveling showmen who had assistants whose job it was to eat (or pretend to eat) a poisonous toad. The charlatan in charge would then save them, all part of the show. This is where we get the word "toadies".