1889. Sporting Times, 3 Aug., 4, 4. If the banker deals to both sides without dealing any to himself, the punters can allow the coup to stand.
1898. Referee, 4 Sep., 11, 4. While Paul is punting with the outside bookmakers, Virginia may listen to the artless prattle of the Silver Ring.
1899. Critic, 11 Mar., 2, 1. A gentleman . . . whose face is familiar in the neighbourhood of Capel-court, has been punting in maximums in the private club at Monte Carlo.
2. (Rugby footballers')—To kick the ball before it touches the ground. Hence punt-about = a practice-ball or -game.
1856. Hughes, Tom Brown, 1. v. Hurra! here's the punt-about—come along and try your hand at a kick.
3. (auctioneers').—To act as decoy: also Punter.
1891. Answers, 4 Ap. When visiting a small place the auctioneer usually takes his punters with him, as the faces of local men might be known. A well-dressed punter earns five or six shillings a day, and . . . are expected to appear in tall hats, gloves, sticks, big brass chains and button-holes.
Puny, subs. (old).—1. A freshman; (2) a student at the Inns of Court; (3) a junior. Hence, punyship = youth. Also (4) = a puisne judge or bencher.
1548. Patten, Somerset's March [Oliphant, New Eng., i. 520. We see the phrases good literature (scholarship) . . . punies (juniors)].
15[?]. Christmas Prince at St. Johns College i. Others to make sporte . . . were they whom they call freshmenn, punies of the first yeare.
15[?]. Ulysses upon Ajax, B8. A puney of Oxford.
1593. Nashe, Christ's Teares [GroSART, Works, iv. 228]. Laughing at the punies they have lurched. Ibid. (1598), Lenten Stuffe [Harl. Misc., vi. 171]. In the punieship or nonage of Cerdicke Sandes.
1607. Dekker, Westward Hoe, i. 2. There is only in the amity of women an estate at will, and every puny knows that is no certain inheritance. Ibid., v. 3. The punies set down this decree.
1634. Marston, in Lectores, &c. [Nares]. Each odd puisne of the lawyer's inne.
c.1640. [Shirley], Capt. Underwit [Bullen, Old Plays, ii. 340]. Preach to the puisnes of the Inne sobriety.
Adj. (old: now recognised).—Weak; small.—B. E. (c.1696); Grose (1785).
PUP, subs. (colloquial).—1. A PUPPY (q.v.).
2. (colloquial).—A pupil.
Verb. (colloquial).—To be brought to bed. [As a bitch with puppies.] In pup = pregnant.
To SELL A PUP, verb. phr. (thieves').—To swindle a greenhorn; TO FLAP A JAY (q.v.).
Pupe, subs. (Harrow school).—A pupil room.
Pupil-monger, subs. phr. (old).—A tutor: specifically at the universities.—B.E. (c.1696); Grose (1785).
1662. Fuller, Worthies, Northampton, 11. 517. John Preston . . . was the greatest pupil-monger in England.
Puppy (Pup, or Puppy-dog), subs. (colloquial).—1. A vain or unmannerly fool; a fop; a coxcomb.—Grose (1785). Hence puppyism = conceit or affectation; puppyish (or puppily) = impertinent; PUPPY-HEADED = stupid.
1593. Harvey, Pierce's Super. [Wks. (Grosart), ii. 328]. A Jack-sauce, or vnmannerly puppy.
