Wordxplr

The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

Puckish

Meaning

Puckish describes someone or something that is playfully mischievous and impish.

Origin

The word 'puckish' springs directly from the character of Puck, the mischievous sprite from English folklore. He's perhaps most famously embodied as Robin Goodfellow in William Shakespeare's 16th-century play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Puck delights in playing tricks, leading mortals astray with his playful yet sometimes disruptive magic—turning lovers into rivals, transforming heads into donkey's. So captivating was this impish character that his very name became synonymous with that spirit of lighthearted, whimsical naughtiness, giving us the adjective 'puckish' to describe anyone embodying such charmingly playful mischief.

Examples

  • His puckish grin suggested he was about to play a harmless prank on his unsuspecting friend.
  • The author's puckish humor was evident in the whimsical and slightly naughty antics of her characters.
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