Popeye

Fictional character name coined in 1929 by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar, presumably pop +‎ eye.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɒp.aɪ/
• (New England) IPA^(key): /ˈpʌp.aɪ/

Popeye

1. A tough cartoon sailor, full name Popeye the Sailor, characterized by bulging forearm muscles, a squinty eye, and an affinity for spinach.
   • 1967, Television Magazine, Volume 24, Issue 11, page 27:

     They seem equipped to drag the building between them right down Pennsylvania Avenue, but their progress is arrested by two heroes of Popeye musculature, government men putting a check rein on willful industry.

   • 1991, Anthony Bruno, Bad Luck, page 28:

     Lenny gave him the Popeye squint as he rolled off to Frank, the other bodyguard on duty, who was standing on the other side of the stage behind the Epps camp.

   • 2011, Danna Korn, ‎Connie Sarros, Gluten-Free Cooking For Dummies, p. 122:

     Choosing and prepping yeast Working the dough: You don't need Popeye arms.

2. A nickname for a person who has attributes of the cartoon character.
   • 1994, Eric Cummins, The Rise and Fall of California's Radical Prison Movement, page 216:

     The UPU faction, headed by Popeye Jackson, drew considerable numbers of members away from the Prisoners' Union when it split off in 1973, primarily taking with it the union's more radical convicts.

   • 2006, Alexander Fullerton, The Gatecrashers, page 60:

     "Arf, arfl" It was a Popeye expression, which he used to express pleasure or enthusiasm.

   • 2009, ESPN, ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia, page 99:

     FAN FAVORITE: С Popeye Jones (1988-92) Befitting his nickname, Ronald "Popeye" Jones never came up short in the effort department.

• For more examples of usage of this term, see Citations:Popeye.

• Popeye on Wikipedia.Wikipedia