The three occurrences of 'pop' refer to very specific contexts of an adulterous 'popping in' that pops somebody else out of his property. The sexual meaning is most explicit in Troilus and Cressida, when Patroclus says to Menelaos:
27 But that's no argument for kissing now,
28 For thus popp'd Paris in his hardiment,
29 And parted thus you and your argument.
(Tro. 4.5.27-29)
In King John, there seems to be no direct sexual reference, but the mother's honor is very much at stake when the Bastard objects to Queen Elinor's accusation that he casts shame on his mother:
66 I, madam? No, I have no reason for it;
67 That is my brother's plea and none of mine,
68 The which if he can prove,'a pops me out
69 At least from fair five hundred pound a year.
70 Heaven guard my mother's honor, and my land!
These two passages illuminate the most famous occurrence of the word in Hamlet's description of Claudius as
64 He that hath kill'd my king and whor'd my mother,
65 Popp'd in between th' election and my hopes,
(Ham.5.2.64-65)
The link established between King John and Hamlet by 'pop' is part of the larger associative chain that includes 'Nero',
17 September 1999