Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Carleton (1794–1869), writer. From Irish paltóg, †palltóg, perhaps from polt + Irish -óg, suffix forming diminutives.
Definition of polthogue in US English:
polthogue
noun
Irish English informal
A blow, especially a thump, a punch.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Carleton (1794–1869), writer. From Irish paltóg, † palltóg, perhaps from polt + Irish -óg, suffix forming diminutives.