E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pu’nic Faith.
Treachery, violation of faith. “Punic faith” is about equal to “Spanish honesty.” The Puni (a corruption of Pœni) were accused by the Romans of breaking faith with them, a most extraordinary instance of the “pot calling the kettle black;” for whatever infidelity the Carthaginians were guilty of, it could scarcely equal that of their accusers.
1
The Roman Pœni is the word Phœni (Phœnicians), the Carthaginians being of Phœnician descent.
