| 释义 |
† pigˈwidgin, -ˈwidgeon Obs.
Also pig wigeon.
Of obscure origin and meaning: see quots. 1730–1785.
Some have identified it with Pigwiggen, -wiggin, used by Greene and Nashe as a quasi-proper name, and by Drayton as the name of a fairy knight favoured by Queen Mab the wife of Oberon, also by Davenant. In Cotton it is apparently a term of contempt, and rimes with biggin, cap or hood. Pig-widgin |-wɪdʒɪn| appears in Cleveland attrib. as a contemptuous or hostile epithet for the Scotch; spelt by Bailey -wigeon, by Johnson -widgeon, app. after the name of the bird. Its connexion with Pigwiggin is not proved.[a1592Greene Selimus 1909 Now will I be as stately to them as if I were maister Pigwiggen our constable. 1596Nashe Saffron-Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 191 No more will I of his calling me Captaine of the boyes, and Sir Kilprick; which is a name fitter for his Piggen de wiggen, or gentlewoman. 1599― Lenten Stuffe To Rdr., If it were so, goodman Pig-wiggen, were not that honest dealing? 1627Drayton Nymphidia xii, Pigwiggen was this Fairy Knight, One wond'rous gracious in the sight Of fair Queen Mab, which day and night He amorously observed. 1629Davenant Albovine ii. i. D ij, Albo. Is not your name Pigwiggin? Cuny. Pigwiggin! your Grace was wont to call me Cunymond: I am no Faery. 1675Cotton Scoffer Scofft 68 What such a nazardly Pigwiggin, A little Hang⁓strings in a Biggin?] 1687Cleveland's Wks., Rebel Scot 12 To see his Country sick of Pym's disease; By Scotch Invasion to be made a prey To such Pig-Widgin Myrmidons as they. 1730–6Bailey (folio), Pig Wigeon (with the Vulgar) a silly fellow. 1755Johnson, Pigwidgeon..is a kind of cant word for any⁓thing petty or small. [Quotes Cleveland.] 1785Grose Dict. Vulg. T. s.v. Pig, Pig-widgeon, a simpleton.
Hence pigˈwidgin, -ˈwidgeon v.
1852M. W. Savage Reuben Medlicott I. iii. Argt. 214 In short the Medlicotts were Pigwidgeoned, and we are not to pity them, for they brought the Pigwidgeoning on them⁓selves. Pigwidgeoning will prove to be a social usage, nearly akin to spunging. |