subs. (old: now provincial).—A term of contempt: e.g., ‘What a POPE of a thing!’ Also, DRUNK AS A POPE = very drunk (Benedict XII., a glutton and a wine-bibber gave rise to the expression, Bibamus papaliter): see DRINKS and SCREWED; TO BE (or PLAY) POPE-HOLY = to be sanctimonious; to play the PRIG (q.v.) or hypocrite; TO KNOW NO MORE THAN THE POPE OF ROME = to know nothing.—RAY (1670). Ray also gives, ‘If you would be a POPE, you must think of nothing else.’
1360. CHAUCER, The Romaunt of the Rose (Works (1662), III.].
| Another thing was doen there write | |
| That seemed like an ipocrite, | |
| And it was cleped POPE HOLY. |
1362. LANGLAND, Piers Plowman. sig. T, ii. (1561). And none so singuler by him selfe, nor so POPE HOLY.
d. 1460. LYDGATE, The Prohemy of a Mariage, etc. [MS., Harl., 372, 51]. And for POPHOLY and vyce loke wel aboute.
1509. BARCLAY, Ship of Fooles (1570), 57. Ouer sad or proude, disceitfull and POPE HOLY.
d. 1529. SKELTON, A Replycation [DYCE, i. 208]. POPHOLY and penysshe presumpcion. Ibid., Garlande of Laurell, 611. Fals forgers of mony, for kownnage atteintid, POPE HOLY ypocrytis.
1525. TYNDALE, An Answer to Sir Thomas More, etc. [Parker Society (1850), 36]. There be POPE-HOLY, which … resist the righteousness of God in Christ.
1620. Westward for Smelts [HALLIWELL]. He, having no answere, began to curse and ban, bidding a POPE on all whores.
1706. Oxford Jests, 93. They bid him read. ‘Read! truly, my Lord,’ says he, ‘I can read NO MORE THAN THE POPE OF ROME.’
POPE-OF-ROME, subs. phr. (rhyming slang).—Home.
