Pun, subs. (Harrow).—Punishment. Also as verb. Hence PUN-PAPER = specially ruled paper for PUNS and impositions.
To pun out, verb. phr. (Christ’s Hospital).—To inform against. Ex. “I’ll PUN OUT”; “I’ll PUN you OUT.” Exclusively a London term: at Hertford the word is simply TO PUN, or TO PUN OF.
Punny, subs. (Manchester Grammar).—Punishment School or Drill: also known as P.S. and P.D.: both cause detention for three-quarters of an hour after school.
Punt, verb (Rugby).—To kick the ball (at football) before it touches the ground.
Punt-about, subs. (Rugby).—The practice-ball: at football. Also a practice game.
1856. Hughes, Tom Brown’s School-days, I. v. He hadn’t long to wonder, however, for next minute East cried out, “Hurra! here’s the PUNT-ABOUT,—come along and try your hand at a kick.” The PUNT-ABOUT is the practice-ball, which is just brought out and kicked about anyhow from one boy to another before callings-over and dinner, and at other odd times.
Puny, subs. (old Oxford).—A Freshman: also a student at the Inns of Court.
15 [?]. Christmas Prince at St. John’s College, i. Others to make sporte withall, of this last sorte were they whom they call freshmenn, PUNIES of the first yeare.
15 [?]. Ulysses upon Ajax, B. 8. A very worme of wit, a PUNEY of Oxford, shall make you more hatefull than Battalus the hungrye fidler.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Teares [Works (Grosart), iv. 228]. Sharing halfe with the Baudes their Hostesses, and laughing at the PUNIES they have lurched [robbed].