pigwidgeon

English

Noun

pigwidgeon (plural pigwidgeons)

1. (rare) A small or petty person, creature or object, especially a fairy, dwarf, imp, or elf.
   • 1884 (compiled edition), Frank R. Stockton, Prince Hassak's March, in St. Nicholas (in the December 1883 issue), page 144, with an illustration depicting a miniature goblin of sorts less than half the size of a human child:

     "Yes," said the pigwidgeon who had spoken before. "We will do that, for we are very anxious to know how to divide five-sevenths by six. We have been working at it for four or five days, and there wont be anything worth dividing if we wait much longer." The pidwidgeons now began to descend the vine; […]

   • 1995, Jay Leibold, Treasure Hunt, Skylark, →ISBN:

     "What is a pigwidgeon?" you ask. "That's Mister Pigwidgeon to you," says the elf with a sniff, "and I'd like to know what gives you the right to interrupt my afternoon nap."

2. (rare) A contemptible or stupid person or creature.
   • 1627, Michaell Drayton [i.e., Michael Drayton], “Nimphidia. The Court of Fayrie.”, in The Battaile of Agincourt. […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for VVilliam Lee, […], published 1631, →OCLC:

     PIGWIGGIN was this Faery Knight, One wondrous gracious in the sight Of fair Queene Mab ...

   • 1899, Bernard Edward Joseph Capes, Our Lady of Darkness: A Novel, page 209:

     "Fie, then, naughty child" cried madame; […] But the great orator chuckled with laughter.
     "Pigwidgeon, pigwidgeon!" he said, nodding his head at the culprit. "Not for youth and health are rouge and enamel, and all the vestments of vanity."