The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

pubic directory
 /pyoob'ik d@?rek?t@?ree/, n.

    [NYU] (also pube directory /pyoob' d@?rek't@?ree/) The pub (public)
    directory on a machine that allows FTP access. So called because it is the
    default location for SEX (sense 1). ?I'll have the source in the pube
    directory by Friday.?


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

pubic directory

   [NYU] (also "pube directory" /pyoob' d*-rek't*-ree/) The "pub"
   (public) directory on a machine that allows FTP access.  So
   called because it is the default location for SEX (software
   exchange).

   [Jargon File]