Literary notes about peeper (AI summary)
The word "peeper" functions with a rich versatility in literature, shifting effortlessly among several meanings. It can denote a physical feature, often humorously referring to the eye in phrases such as “it didn’t hurt his little peeper much” [1], while at other times it becomes a colorful nickname for a character—both central and peripheral—as seen with figures like Mr. Peeper, who appears in roles varying from overseer [2] to arbitrator [3] or even a subject of disdain [4]. Yet the term does not confine itself to anatomy or personification alone; it may also describe a living creature, such as a tiny frog known as the “spring peeper” [5, 6], or an inanimate device like a screen [7], thereby showcasing its adaptability. This multifaceted usage enriches narrative texture, providing a playful, layered term that invites readers to consider both literal and metaphorical associations.
- 'It didn't hurt his little peeper much, did it?'
— from Nature and Human Nature by Thomas Chandler Haliburton - We'll make Lutter superintendent of the whole estate, and send old Peeper about his business.
— from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 341, March, 1844 by Various - "She shall not," said Mr Peeper; "I am the sole judge in matters of the kind."
— from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 341, March, 1844 by Various - "Then you are an atheist," retorted Mr Peeper.
— from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 341, March, 1844 by Various - At last, however, I got sight of a peeper, caught him in the act, and saw that it was, in fact, a little frog, nothing more, nothing less.
— from Wild Northern Scenes Or, Sporting Adventures with the Rifle and the Rod by S. H. (Samuel H.) Hammond - VII You should see a “spring peeper,” the tiny Pickering’s frog— if you can .
— from The Spring of the Year by Dallas Lore Sharp - I went over to the peeper screen and turned it on.
— from Nor Iron Bars a Cage.... by Randall Garrett
