Pope Joan

English

Proper noun

Pope Joan

1. A mythical female pope who allegedly reigned for a few years during the Middle Ages.

Noun

Pope Joan (uncountable)

1. (card games) A card game played on a round board with compartments.
   • 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:

     He could sing, and talk, and drink, and keep things stirring, and the gentlemen liked him; and he was, 'twas said, a wonderful fine player at whist, and piquet, and ombre, and all sorts of card-playing. So you see he could afford to play fair. The first time he came down, he fought three duels about a tipsy quarrel over a pool of Pope Joan.

   • 1971, Gwen White, Antique Toys And Their Background, page 117:

     The game of Pope Joan is played on a special circular board with divisions, and often lacquered in red and gold upon a black background. It was played early in the nineteenth century and several boards exist, mainly in museums and also in some of the stately homes of England. It was a popular game with the Prince of Wales, later Willliam IV.