puck

Puck is a figure in English folklore and literature, traditionally depicted as a mischievous nature sprite. He is best known in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, where he frequently refers to himself as Robin Goodfellow and acts as a servant to Oberon, orchestrating pranks and magical mischief. In folklore, Puck is a shapeshifter associated with forests and weather, capable of altering appearances and secrets, and often described as a trickster figure who blurs the line between the human and fairy worlds.

Etymology and origins: The name Puck appears in early modern English sources and is tied to broader goblin-like beings in Germanic and Celtic traditions. The character's traits—playful mischief, boundary-crossing power, and close affinity with the natural world—reflect a long-standing folkloric archetype that persisted into modern fiction.

Puck (hockey): The puck is a flat, cylindrical disk used in ice hockey and related ice sports. A standard puck measures 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter and 1 inch (25 mm) thick, with a mass around 5.5 to 6 ounces (156–170 g). It is typically made of vulcanized black rubber and is designed to slide rapidly on ice; some play settings freeze pucks briefly to reduce bouncing. Official regulations specify the puck's dimensions and weight for competitive play.

In modern culture, Puck remains a symbolic name for trickster characters in literature and media, and the term is used in various artistic and entertainment contexts to invoke mischievous, boundary-crossing energy.