1513-25. Skelton [Oliphant, New Eng., i. 394. We see the phrase to pop forth saws; at p. 235, popping means babbling; our pop still implies noise, as pop-gun].
1575. Touchstone of Complexions, 124. Still to dilate and open his breaste with coughing, hawking, neesing and popping or smacking with the mouth.
1596. Shakspeare; Hamlet, v. 2. He that hath killed my king, and whored my mother, popped in between the election and my hopes. Ibid., King John, i. That is my brother's plea . . . The which if he can prove, a' pops me out at least from fair five hundred pounds a year. Ibid. (1602), Troilus and Cressida, iv. 5. That's no argument for kissing now; for thus popped Paris in his hardiment, and parted thus you and your argument.
1600. Heywood, 1 Ed. IV. [Pearson, Works (1874), i. 47]. My daughter Nell shall pop a posset vpon thee, when thou goest to bed.
1626. Fletcher, Noble Gent., i. 1. And do you pop me off with this slight answer.
d. 1631. Donne, Sermons, iv. So, diving in a bottomless sea, they pop some times above the water to take breath.
d. 1674. Milton, Def. Humb. Remonst. [Century]. These our Prelates, who are the true successors of those that popt them into the other world.
1706. Ward, Wooden Worla, 'To Reader.' Finding . . . the air begin to change apace, and wet, thick, cloudy weather pop in at once upon us.
d. 1745. Swift [quoted in Century]. Others have a trick of popping up and down every moment from their paper to their audience, like an idle schoolboy.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas [Routledge], 113. I know how to tickle a girl in a stiff gown, or an actress. You swagger . . . with an easy, impudent assurance, and pop the question without making any bones about it. Ibid., 143. When they had been together long enough, in popped I, with a message to the enamoured spark.
1753. Richardson, Grandison, vi. 103. Afraid he would . . . pop out the question which he had not the courage to put.
1764. Foote, Patron, i. O fie! what chance have I there? Indeed, if Lady Pepperpot should happen to pop off—
1773. Goldsmith, Stoops to Conquer, ii. When company comes you are not to pop out and stare, and then run in again.
1773. Thompson, Fair Quaker of Deal [Shadwell's comedy recast], ii. 3. If I could get a lover upon the first popping of the question.
1835. Dickens, Sketches by Boz, 'Watkins Tottle.' I suppose you popped the question more than once.
1837. Barham, Ingold. Legends (1862), 249. His abruptness in popping the question So soon after dinner disturbed her digestion. Ibid. (1857), 2 S. 29. I fear by his looks Our friend, Francois Xavier, has popped off the hooks. Ibid. (1900), 141. On the fire, too, she pops some nice mutton-chops.
1841. Punch, 1. 153. A considerate old aunt, who had kindly popped off in the nick of time.
1851. Smedley, Lewis Arundel, iii. Some of the fools about here wanted me to put up for the county if he popped off.
1853. Lytton, My Novel, v. xvii. 'Please the pigs,' then said Mr. Avenel to himself, 'I shall pop the question.'
1855. Taylor, Still Waters, i. I'll deposit my carpet-bag in my dressing room, and then pop in on Emmy.
1855. Thackeray, Newcomes, l. She was so handsome, and so clever . . . that he had been on the point of popping the fatal question ever so many times. Ibid. (1862), Philip, xvi. Eat your porridge now, little ones. Charlotte, pop a bit of butter in Carrick's porridge.
1860. Stowe, Oldtown Folks, 37. One of the sort that might pop off any time.
1871. Figaro, 18 Mar., The Penalty for Popping. To Bachelors and Widowers: If you are about to pop the question, think of Breach of Promise at Nisi Prius, and don't. He who pops and does not wed, By a jury will be bled.
1876. Hindley, Cheap Jack, 313. Travellers well know how they must put the price when doing business with Cheap John now that he is keeping a shop. It's no use for them to pop it on.
