Robin Goodfellow

A “drudging fiend,” and merry domestic fairy, famous for mischievous pranks and practical jokes. At night-time he will sometimes do little services for the family over which he presides. The Scotch call this domestic spirit a brownie; the Germans, kobold or Knecht Ruprecht. The Scandinavians called it Nissë God-dreng. Puck, the jester of Fairy-court, is the same.

“Either I mistake your shape and making quite,

Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite

Called Robin Goodfellow… .

Those that Hob-goblin call you, and sweet Puck,

You do their work, and they shall have good luck.”

Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream, ii. 1.

(See Fairy.)

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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