"Spotted" is a reference to the dried fruit in the pudding (which resemble spots). "Dick" and "dog" were dialectal terms widely used for pudding, from the same etymology as "dough" (i.e., the modern equivalent name would be "spotted pudding").
Often spotted dick can get confused for bread pudding (opens in new tab) or bread and butter pudding (opens in new tab) which are both made with raisins and sultanas however both are made mainly with bread. Spotted dick is traditionally made with shredded suet.
Tiny, chewy, dried currants give this pudding sweetness and texture, as well as its “spotted” appearance. Look for dried currants, often labeled as Zante currants, in the same aisle as raisins and other dried fruits.
The 'Dick' in Spotted Dick seems to come from the shortened Old English names for pudding: puddog or puddick. In Scotland it is often called Spotted Dog Pudding. Spotted Dick is a very simple pudding to make; it can be steamed in a basin or be rolled out like a sausage and covered in buttered foil and then steamed.
Spotted dick can be frozen for between 2 and 3 months. It should freeze fairly well due to its high-fat content and minimal water. It may not be quite as good but it will definitely still be good enough to eat. You Might Like This: Can You Freeze Sticky Toffee Pudding?