Chapter Plebeians to Pluck of P by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

formed of natural stones, so small that 160 pieces cover only a square inch. It is supposed to be the work of Sosus, and is described by Pliny as a proof of the perfection to which that art had arrived. He says:-

“At Pergamos is a wonderful specimen of a dove drinking, and darkening the water with the shadow of her head; on the lip of the vessel are other doves pluming themselves.”

   This exquisite specimen of art was found in Villa Adriana, in 1737, by Cardinal Furietti, from whom it was purchased by Clement XIII.

Plith A piece of iron made hot and put into an iron box, to be held for punishment by a criminal. (See Plet. )

Plon-plon The sobriquet of Prince Napoleon Joseph Charles Bonaparte, son of Jerome Bonaparte. He was nick-named Craint-plon (Fear-bullet) in the Crimean war (1854-1856), a nickname afterwards perverted into Plon-plon. (1822-1891.)

Plot in a theatrical sense, does not only mean the incidents which lead to the development of a play, but half a dozen other things; thus, the “scene plot” is a list of the various scenes to be used; the “flyman's plot” is a list of the articles required by the flyman in the “flies;” there is also the “gasman's plot;” the “property plot” is a list of all the properties required in the play, for which the manager is responsible.

Plotcock The old Scotch form of the Roman Pluto, by which Satan is meant. Chaucer calls Plato the “king of Faërie,” and Dunbar names him “Pluto the elrich incubus.”

Plough Fond, Fool, or White Plough. The plough dragged about a village on Plough Monday. Called white, because the mummers who drag it about are dressed in white, gaudily trimmed with flowers and ribbons. Called fond or fool, because the procession is fond or foolish- not serious, or of a business character.

Plough Monday The first Monday after Twelfth Day is so called because it is the end of the Christmas holidays, and the day when men return to their plough or daily work. It was customary on this day for farm labourers to draw a plough from door to door of the parish, and solicit “plough-money” to spend in a frolic. The queen of the banquet was called Bessy. (See Distaff. )

Plover To live like a plover, i.e. to live on nothing, to live on air. Plovers do not, however, live on air, but feed largely on small insects. They also eat worms, which they hunt for in newly-ploughed fields.

Plowden “The case is altered.” quoth Plowden. Plowden was a priest, very unpopular, and in order to bring him into trouble some men inveigled him into attending mass performed by a layman, and then impeached him for so doing. Being brought before the tribunal, the cunning priest asked the layman if it was he who officiated. “Yes,” said the man. “And are you a priest?” said Plowden. “No,” said the man. “Then,” said Plowden, turning to the tribunal, “that alters the case, for it is an axiom with the church, `No priest, no mass.' ”

Plowman The Vision of Piers Plowman is a satirical poem by W. [or R.] Langland, completed in 1362. The poet supposes himself falling asleep on the Malvern Hills, and in his dream sees various visions of an allegorical character, bearing on the vices of the times. In one of the allegories, the Lady Anima (the soul) is placed in Castle Caro (flesh) under the charge of Sir Constable Inwit, and his sons See-well, Hear-well, Work-well, and Go-well. The whole poem consists of nearly 15,000 verses, and is divided into twenty parts, each part being called a passus, or separate vision.

Pluck To reject a candidate for literary honours because he is not up to the required mark. The rejected candidate is said to be plucked.
   When degrees are conferred the name of each person is read out before he is presented to the Vice-Chancellor. The proctor used at one time to walk once up and down the room, and anyone who objected to the degree being conferred might signify his dissent by plucking or twitching the proctor's gown. This was occasionally done by tradesmen to whom the candidate was in