Chapter Psyche to Pumpkin of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Publius, the surviving son of Horatius after the combat between the three Horatian brothers against the three Curiatii of Alba. He entertained the Roman notion that “a patriot’s soul can feel no ties but duty, and know no voice of kindred” if it conflicts with his country’s weal. His sister was engaged to Caius Curiatius, one of the three Alban champions; and when she reproved him for “murdering” her betrothed, he slew her, for he loved Rome more than he loved friend, sister, brother, or the sacred name of father.—Whitehead: The Roman Father (1741).

Pucel. La bel Pucel lived in the tower of “Musyke.” Graunde Amoure, sent thither by Fame to be instructed by the seven ladies of science, fell in love with her, and ultimately married her. After his death, Remembraunce wrote his “epitaphy on his graue.”—Hawes: The Passetyme of Plesure (1506, printed 1515).

Pucelle (La), a surname given to Joan of Are the “Maid of Orleans”(1410–1431).

Puck, generally called Hobgoblin. Same as Robin Goodfellow. Shakespeare, in Midsummer Night’s Dream, represents him as “a very Shetlander among the gossamer-winged, dainty-limbed fairies, strong enough to knock all their heads together; a rough, knurly-limbed, fawn-faced, shock-pated, mischievous little urchin.”

He [Oberon] meeteth Puck, which most men call
Hobgoblin, and on him doth fall,
With words from frenzy spoken.
Hoh! hoh!” quoth Hob; “God save your grace…”

Drayton: Nymphidia (1593).

Pudding (Jack), a gormandizing clown. In French he is called Jean Potage; in Dutch, Pickel-Herringe; in Italian Macaroni; in German, John Sausage (Hanswurst).

Puddle-Dock Hill, St. Andrew’s Hill, Blackfriars, leading down to Puddle Wharf, Ireland Yard.

Puff, servant of captain Loveit, and husband of Tag of whom he stands in awe.—Garrick: Miss in Her Teens (1753).

Puff (Mr.), a man who had tried his hand on everything to get a living, and at last resorts to criticism. He says of himself, “I am a practitioner in panegyric, or to speak more plainly, a professor of the art of puffing.”

“I open,” says Puff,“with a clock striking, to beget an awful attention in the audience; it also marks the time, which is four o’clock in the morning, and saves a description of the rising sun, and a great deal about gilding the eastern hemisphere.”—Sheridan: The Critic, i. I. (1779).

“God Forbid”, says Mr. Puff, “that, in a free country, all the fine words in the language should be engrossed by the higher characters of the piece.”—Sir W. Scott: The Drama.

Puff, publisher. He says—

“Panegyric and praise ! and what will that do with the public? Why, who will give money to be told that Mr. Such-a-one is a wiser and better man than himself? No, no ! ’tis quite and clean out of nature. A good sousing satire, now, well powdered with personal pepper, and seasoned with the spirit of party, that demolishes a conspicuous character, and sinks him below our own level,—there, there, we are pleased; there we chuckle and grin, and toss the half-crowns on the counter.”—Foote: The Patron (1764).

Puff (Mr. Partenopex), a sayer of smart things, which he fathers on his valet Booby, his monkey, or his parrot.—Disraeli (lord Beaconsfield): Vivian Grey (1826-7).

Pug, a mischievous little goblin, called “Puck” by Shakespeare.—Ben Jonson: The Devil is an Ass (1616).

Puggie Orrock, a sheriffs officer at Fairport.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).