Chapter Polydore to Pope of P by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

a century before Robert Herrick had brought out a series of almanacks under the name of Poor Robin's Almanack.

Poor Tassel (A). A poor hand, a bad workman, no great shakes. The tassel or tiercel was a male goshawk, restricted to princes, and called a “tassel gentle.”

“Venturing this opinion to the brick-maker, he laughingly replied, `Come, then, and try your hand at a brick.' The trial, however, proved me a `poor tassel,' amidst the jeers and laughter of the men.”- C. Thomson: Autobiography, p. 52.

Poorer than Irus (“Iro pauperior”). Irus was the beggar employed by the suitors of Penelope to carry to her their tokens of love. When Ulysses returned home, Irus attempted to prevent his entering the gates, but Ulysses felled him to the ground, and threw the dead body into the road.

Pop the Question (To). To propose or make an offer of marriage. As this important demand is supposed to be unexpected, the question is said to be popped.

Pope lived at Twickenham. (1688-1744.)

“For though not sweeter his own Homer sings,
Yet is his life the more endearing song.”
Thomson: Summer.

Pope (1 syl.), in Latin popa (plur. popoe). A priest who knocked on the head the ox offered in sacrifice, and cut it up, a very small part being burnt, and all the rest distributed to those concerned in the sacrifice. Wine was poured between the horns, but the priest first sipped it, and all those who assisted him. After the beast had been stunned it was stabbed, and the blood was caught in a vessel used for the purpose, for the shedding of blood was indispensable in every sacrifice. It was the duty of the pope to see that the victim to be sacrificed was without spot or blemish, and to ascertain that it had never been yoked to the plough. The head was crowned with a fillet, and the horns gilt. Apparently the Roman soldiers of Pontius Pilate made a mockery imitation of these Roman and Greek sacrifices.