Phrases and Names, Their Origins and Meanings

by Trench H. Johnson

Pompadour. Both the puce colour and the dress material of this name were first popularised by Madame le Pompadour, the mistress of Louis XV.

Pompadours. The nickname of the 56th Foot on account of their claret or Pompadour facings.

Pontac. From the town of the same name in the south of France.

Pontefract. Literally “broken bridge.” The popular corruption of this name is “Pomfret.”

Pontiff. The Pope of Rome bears this name conformably to the Latin pons, bridge, and facere, to make, because the earliest bridge over the Tiber was constructed at the sole cost of the High Priest of the Romans.

Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard. The first regiment of Foot, the oldest in the service.

Poole. From the pool or inlet of the sea on which this Dorsetshire port is situated.

Pope. From the Greek papas, and Latin papa, father.

Poplar. From the poplar-trees formerly abounding in this district.

Poppin’s Court. A corruption of “Poppingay Court”; originally, in the reign of Elizabeth, “Poppingay Alley,” so called because it marked the site of an ancient inn or mansion owned by the Abbots of Cirencester, and displaying the sign of “the Poppinjaye” or parrot.