Spotted Dick is so-called because of the currants (or sultanas, or raisins) in it, which could be said to look like spots. The 'dick' component's origin is not certain, but is thought to derive from...
Despite the giggle factor involved in the name, spotted dick is a pudding. It contains bits of dried fruit that make it appear spotted. The dick part comes from the German word for thick.
Yes it is really a type of pudding. It is a steamed suet pudding that has dried fruit giving it a spotted appearance and is a standard part of English meals.
Yorkshire pudding is called a 'pudding' because in one UK sense of the word it describes a savory dish; another example of this usage is steak and kidney pudding, which is similar to, but not the...