In Scotland, about 1508, the Knave of cards was the representative of a forward impertinent person,—a very Jack-a-Naipes,—as is evident from the "Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedy," where the latter, among other bad names, calls the former "Valet of cards":
"Waik walidrag, and verlot of the cairtis." [273]
Even in modern times the Knave of Hearts has been referred to as the ideal of a presumptuous, thickset little man, as appears from the following passage which occurs in the second edition of Brockett's Glossary, 1829, under the word Purdy.
"Purdy, a little thickset fellow.—I owe this word," says Mr. Brockett, "to the communication of a clerical friend in the county of Durham, who first heard it at Barnard Castle. On ascertaining the meaning, the following dialogue took place.
Q. What does Purdy mean?
A. A little throstan-up thing like a Jack at Warts. [Jack o' 'Arts,—Jack of Hearts.]
Q. What's that?
A. Something like a lime-burner.
Q. What is a lime-burner?
A. Oh, nobbut a Kendal stockener.