Stuffy (Matthew), an applicant to Velinspeck, a country manager, for a situation as prompter, for which he says he is peculiarly qualified by that affection of the eyes vulgarly called a squint, which enables him to keep one eye on the performance and the other on the book at the same time.--Charles Mathews, At Home (1818).
Stuffy is one of the richest bits of humor we ever witnessed. His endless eulogies upon the state of things in the immortal Garrick’s time are highly ludicrous.--Contemporary Paper.
Stuke´ly (2 syl.), a detestable man. “’Twould be as easy to make him honest as brave” (act i. 2). He pretends to be the friend of Beverley, but cheats him. He aspires to the hand of Miss Beverley, who is in love with Lewson.--Edward Moore, The Gamester (1753).
Stukeley (Will), the companion of Little John. In the morris-dance on May-day, Little John used to occupy the right hand side of Robin Hood, and Will Stukely the left. (See Stutly.)
Stukely (Captain Harry), nephew of Sir Gilbert Pumpkin of Strawberry Hall.--I. Jackman, All the World’s a Stage.
Stupid Boy (The), St. Thomas Aquinas; also called at school “The Dumb Ox” (1224-1274).
Sturgeon (Major), J.P., “the fishmonger from Brentford,” who turned volunteer. This bragging major makes love to Mrs. Jerry Sneak.--S. Foote, The Mayor of Garratt (1763).
We had some desperate duty, Sir Jacob ... such marchings and counter-marchings, from Brentford to Ealing, from Ealing to Acton, from Acton to Uxbridge. Why, there was our last expedition to Hounslow; that day’s work carried off Major Molossas.... But to proceed. On we marched, the men all in high spirits, to attack the gibbet where Gardel is hanging; but, turning down a narrow lane to the left, as it might be about there, in order to possess a pigstye, that we might take the gallows in flank and secure a retreat, who should come by but a drove of fat oxen for Smithfield. The drums beat in front, the dogs barked in the rear, the oxen set up a gallop; on they came, thundering upon us, broke through our ranks in an instant, and threw the whole corps into confusion.--Act i. 1.
Sturmthal (Melchoir), the banneret of Berne, one of the Swiss deputies.--Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Stutly (Will), sometimes called Will Stukely, a companion of Little John. In the morris-dance on May-day, Little John occupied the right hand side of Robin Hood, and Will Stutly the left. His rescue from the sheriff of [Notts.] by Robin Hood forms the subject of one of the Robin Hood Ballads.