Chapter Pickwickian to Pig of P by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Pickwickian to Pig

Pickwickian In a Pickwickian sense. An insult whitewashed. Mr. Pickwick accused Mr. Blotton of acting in “a vile and calumnious manner,” whereupon Mr. Blotton retorted by calling Mr. Pickwick “a humbug.” It finally was made to appear that both had used the offensive words only in a Pickwickian sense, and that each had, in fact, the highest regard and esteem for the other. So the affront was adjusted, and both were satisfied.

“Lawyers and politicians daily abuse each other in a Pickwickian sense.”- Bowditch.

Picrochole King of Lerne. A Greek compound, meaning “bitterbile,” or choleric. The rustics of Utopia one day asked the cake-bakers of Lerne to sell them some cakes, but received only abuse; whereupon a quarrel ensued. When Picrochole was informed thereof, he marched with all his men against Utopia. King Grangousier tried to appease the choleric king, but all his efforts were in vain. At length Gargantua arrived, defeated Picrochole, and put his army to the rout. (Rabelais: Gargantua, bk. i.)
   King Picrochole's statesman. One who without his host reckons of mighty achievements to be accomplished. The Duke of Smalltrash, Earl of Swashbuckler, and Captain Durtaille advised King Picrochole to divide his army into two parts: one was to be left to carry on the war in hand, and the other to be sent forth to make conquests. They were to take England, France and Spain, Asia Minor, the Greek Islands, and Turkey, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Russia, etc., and to divide the lands thus taken among the conquerors. Echephron, an old soldier, replied- “A shoemaker bought a ha'poth of milk; with this he was going to make butter, the butter was to buy a cow, the cow was to have a calf, the calf was to be changed for a colt, and the man was to become a nabob; only he cracked his jug, spilt his milk, and went supperless to bed.” (Rabelais: Gargantua, bk. i. 33.)
    In 1870 the French emperor (Napoleon III.) was induced to declare was against Germany. He was to make a demonstration and march in triumph to Berlin. Having taken Berlin, he was to march to Italy to restore the Pope to his dominions, and then to restore the Queen of Spain to her throne; but he failed in the first, lost his throne, and Paris fell into the hands of the allied Prussian army.
   His uncle's “Berlin Decree,” for the subjection of Great Britain, was a similar miscalculation. This decree ordained that no European state was to deal with England; and, the trade of England being thus ruined, the kingdom must perforce submit to Napoleon. But as England was the best customer of the European states, the states of Europe were so impoverished that they revolted against the dictator, and the battle of Waterloo was his utter downfall.

Picts The inhabitants of Albin, north-east of Scotland. The name is usually said to be the Latin picti (painted [or tattooed] with woad), but in the Irish chronicles the Picts are called Pictones, Pictores, Piccardaig, etc.

Picts' Houses Those underground buildings more accurately termed “earth houses,” as the Pict's House at Kettleburn, in Caithness.

Picture A model, or beau-ideal, as, He is the picture of health; A perfect picture of a house. (Latin, pictura.)
   The Picture. Massinger has borrowed the plot of this play from Bandello of Piedmont, who wrote novelles or tales in the fifteenth century.

Picture Bible (See Biblia .)

Picture Galleries
   London is famous for its Constables, Turners, Landseers, Gainsboroughs, etc.
   Madrid for its Murillos, Van Dycks, Da Vincis, Rubenses, etc.
   Dresden for its Raphael, Titian, and Correggio.
   Amsterdam for its Dutch masters.
   Rome for its Italian masters.

Pictures (See Cabinet, Cartoons , etc.)

Pie Looking for a pie's nest (French). Looking for something you are not likely to find. (See below.)
   He is in the pie's nest (French). In a fix, in great doubt, in a quandary. The pie places her nest out of reach,