PEG-TOPS, the loose trousers now in fashion, small at the ankle and
swelling upwards, in imitation of the Zouave costume.
PENNY GAFFS, shops turned into temporary theatres (admission one
penny), where dancing and singing take place every night. Rude pictures
of the performers are arranged outside to give the front a gaudy and
attractive look, and at night-time coloured lamps and transparencies
are displayed to draw an audience.
PENNY-A-LINER, a contributor of local news, accidents, fires, scandal,
political and fashionable gossip, club jokes, and anecdotes, to a
newspaper; not regularly “on the paper;” one who is popularly believed
to be paid for each contribution at the rate of a _penny a line_, and
whose interest is, therefore, that his article should be horribly
stuffed with epithets.
PENISULAR, or MOLL TOOLER, a female pickpocket.
PENSIONER, a man of the lowest morals who lives off the miserable
earnings of a prostitute.
PEPPER, to thrash, or strike.—_Pugilistic_, but used by
_Shakespere_.—_East._
PERCH, or ROOST, a resting place; “I’m off to PERCH,” _i.e._, I am
going to bed.
PERSUADERS, spurs.
PESKY, an intensitive expression, implying annoyance; a PESKY,
troublesome fellow. Corruption of PESTILENT?