spotted dog

plural spotted dogs

1. UKcountableuncountableA steamed pudding with embedded currants or raisins

   Fine—I've got a spotted dog about baked done in the oven, now.

   1906, The Pacific Monthly: A Magazine of Education and Progress

   3 more examples

   " Are there any raisins in the store-cupboard ? " I next asked weakly. " I noticed there were not many in the spotted dog pudding we had the other day."

   1905, Mabel Barnes-Grundy, The Vacillations of Hazel, page 173

   If you don't know what spotted dog is, it's one of those beastly steamed pudding things with an occasional raisin in it that boarding schools feed their inmates on because it's cheap, not in the least nourishing, and nearly guaranteed to keep them contented until tea time.

   1962, Denis Glover, Hot Water Sailor, page 31

   The source of the trouble was the spotted dog. Spotted dog is a sort of pudding, made from dough with currants embedded.

   1968, Bulletin - Volumes 4-6, page 76

   Synonyms: spotted dick