A word from 'The Wizard of Oz' referring to Dorothy's dog; also used as a name for small dogs or as slang in some contexts.
The origin of the dog's name in the original 1900 book is unknown, though it may derive from onomatopoeia or children's language. It became iconic through the 1939 film and later through the band Toto.
Dorothy's dog Toto was originally unnamed in the manuscript—author L. Frank Baum chose the name possibly as a playful, childlike sound. The name became so iconic that a 1980s rock band adopted it, and today 'Toto' is instantly recognized as representing both that loyal dog and a mega-hit song, making it one of pop culture's most successful brand-name reversals.
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