toby, n.⁶ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

toby n.⁶

[proper name Tobias, + ref. to Toby, Mr Punch’s dog]

(Aus.)

1. a simple, foolish man, but one who is kind and amenable and thus popular.

1941

2. an expert.

1944

in A. Marshall These Are My People (1957) 142: I’m not much chop on pies, but I’m a toby on puddin’s.

have a toby on (v.)

to feel kindly or friendly towards.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 1242/1: Aus. since ca. 1925.